CT findings following diphenylhydantoin intoxication.

CT findings in three female epileptic patients are presented. The patients were treated with toxic doses of the anticonvulsant diphenylhydantoin, leading to irreversible ataxia of varying severity. CT shows cerebellar atrophy, including discernible sulci, a dilated 4th ventricle, basal cisterns, and subarachnoid space. These effects of severe DPH toxicity are relevant in the differential diagnosis of 'idiopathic' and other toxic and systemic atrophies, as well as dysontogenetic lesions of the cerebellum.