Imaging of Neurologic Disorders in Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnant women may have exacerbation of preexisting neurologic disorders or new-onset neurologic symptoms for which brain or spinal cord imaging is appropriate. Primary headaches in early pregnancy can be diagnosed and treated without imaging. Headaches later in pregnancy or in the peripartum period may need to be evaluated by brain and/or vascular imaging. Cerebrovascular complications have distinctive imaging but overlapping presentations. Mass lesions can enlarge, producing neurologic symptoms, late in pregnancy. Imaging may be necessary to diagnose neurologic disorders in pregnancy and the peripartum period. MRI is preferred during pregnancy; imaging involving ionizing radiation and/or contrast should be avoided.

Keywords: Cerebral venous thrombosis; Eclampsia; Headache; Intraparenchymal hemorrhage; Ischemic stroke; Lymphocytic hypophysitis; Pregnancy; Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.