Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain that can have various causes. The resulting increase in volume can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure, which can be fatal.
Classification
Cerebral edema is classified etiologically as either cytotoxic or vasogenic cerebral edema. With regard to localization, a distinction is made between focal cerebral edema, which may occur, for example, around brain tumors, and generalized cerebral edema, which affects the entire brain. Generalized cerebral edema may, for example, result from a traumatic brain injury.
Imaging
Cerebral edema can be visualized on CT as well as MRI, although MRI allows for a more precise assessment of cerebral edema.
