Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
cytotoxic edema
Brain swelling due to cellular dysfunction causing intracellular fluid accumulation, typically seen in acute stroke.
Full Definition
Cytotoxic edema occurs when cellular energy metabolism fails, leading to dysfunction of sodium-potassium pumps and subsequent intracellular accumulation of sodium and water. This type of edema primarily affects gray matter and is characteristic of acute ischemic stroke, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and certain toxin exposures. On diffusion-weighted imaging, cytotoxic edema appears as restricted diffusion with high signal intensity and corresponding low apparent diffusion coefficient values.
Usage
Usage note: Often associated with restricted diffusion on DWI sequences.
In Context
- "Cytotoxic edema in the left middle cerebral artery territory was evident on DWI." — acute stroke report
- "The pattern of cytotoxic edema suggested hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy." — pediatric imaging report
Also known as
intracellular edema
Contrasted with
vasogenic edema
Don't confuse with
vasogenic edema
osmotic edema