Neuroimaging Features in Eclampsia Patients: A Prospective Observational study

This Prospective Observational study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Govt Raja Mirasudhar Hospital, Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital, Thanjavur from the period January 2020-December 2020. A total of 60 women presented with antepartum or postpartum eclampsia were included. The results were tabulated, analysed and summarized as follows: 1. Out of 60 eclampsia patients, 33% (20) had abnormal findings in the MRI of the Brain taken. 2. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome was the most common Cerebral pathology (23%) and the most common area affected in the brain is Parieto occipital region (67%). 3. Majority of the patients (47%) were in the age group of 20-24 years. 4. Most of the patients had antepartum eclampsia (55%). 5. Most common gestational age involvement is 37-40 wks (61%). 6. Most of the patients with abnormal MRI findings were conscious at the time of presentation (80%). 7. 75% of the patients who have abnormal MRI findings have systolic blood pressure in the range of 140-160 mm Hg and 60% of the patients who have abnormal mri findings have diastolic blood pressure in the range of 90-100 mm Hg. 8. 70% of patients with abnormal MRI findings have imminent symptoms. 9. Most common comorbid condition associated was anaemia (40%). 10. 45% of the patients with abnormal MRI findings have urine albumin 1+. 11. All patients in our study group has normal ophthalmic findings. 12. 75% of the population with abnormal MRI findings had no complications and 15% of patients in abnormal findings group had HELLP. 13. 15% of the patients with abnormal MRI findings were expired. CONCLUSION: 1. 1.33% of patients with eclampsia had pathological abnormalities of brain detected through CT/MRI brain. 2. Maternal mortality was high in patients with abnormal neuroimaging findings. 3. Posterior reversible syndrome was the most common pathological abnormality detected in CT/MRI brain. 4. Thus it is concluded that CT/MRI brain should be included in the investigation protocol for Eclampsia if not for all, atleast for those patients with complications