Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common but devastating complication resulting from fires, malfunctioning stoves, exhaust systems, heaters, suicide attempts etc. It impairs oxygen delivery and has its most lethal effects on organs requiring high levels of oxygen such as the brain and heart. The major Pathology related to CO poisoning in the brain involves white matter demyelination. The other associated pathologies are edema and necrosis bilaterally in the globus pallidus, caudate nucleus and cerebellum.
This article gives an overview of imaging studies in this emergency care. Besides the above mentioned causes CO poisoning can occur during inhalation of methylene chloride vapors, a volatile liquid found in degreasers, solvents, and paint removers. Further, children riding in the back of enclosed pickup trucks seem to be at particularly high risk. Industrial workers at pulp mills, steel…
