Reversible MRI changes in a patient with uremic encephalopathy.

A 19-year-old patient on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis experienced severe neurologic disturbances caused by uremia. Increased signal intensity was seen bilaterally in the cortical and subcortical areas of the occipital and parietal lobe on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Insufficient peritoneal dialysis efficacy was documented and the patient was switched from peritoneal to hemodialysis. Cranial MRI indicated a marked regression of the lesions to nearly normal, confirming the diagnosis of uremic encephalopathy.