Neuroimaging characteristics in carbon monoxide toxicity.

Neuroimaging studies for 18 patients carrying carbon monoxide toxicity as a discharge diagnosis were reviewed. The most common positive findings were low-density lesions in the globus pallidus (7/18, 39%) and deep white matter changes (5/18, 28%). Six computed tomography head scans showed no acute changes. Advanced age, method of exposure (intentional vs accidental), and severity of carboxyhemoglobin level did not predict neuroradiological or clinical outcomes. Early neuroimaging could not be used to predict clinical courses (death or coma vs discharge to either an institution or a home) in the patient population studied.