Computerized tomographies of 34 patients at the chronic stage of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

The brains of 34 patients at the chronic stage of acute carbon monoxide poisoning (CO poisoning) were examined using computerized tomography (CT). Ventricular and sulcal dilatations were measured quantitatively, with picture analysis of CT for the measurement of ventricular dilatation. Significant ventricular and sulcal dilatations were found in all cases of the CO group compared with age-matched controls, and bilateral low density areas in the globus pallidus were seen in 9 of the patients. There were significant correlations between duration of initial unconsciousness and the ventricular dilatation or cortical atrophy. Such dilatations were considered to be due to the cerebral damage in the acute stage.