High altitude cerebral edema (HACE)
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
High altitude cerebral edema (HACE). This is a syndrome that typically develops at altitudes > 3,000 m. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Description
- This is a syndrome that typically develops at altitudes > 3,000 m
- It is usually preceded by acute mountain sickness (AMS)
- It affects about 1% of climbers
- It is fatal if untreated for > 24 hours
Clinical features
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
Differential diagnosis
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
Computed tomography (CT) head: features
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain: features
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
Treatment
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
References
- Burtscher M, Hefti U, Hefti JP. High-altitude illnesses: old stories and new insights into the pathophysiology, treatment and prevention. Sports Med Health Sci 2021; 3:59-69.
- Clarke C. Neurology at high altitude. Pract Neurol 2006; 6:230-237.
- Singh I, Khanna PK, Srivastava MC, et al. Acute mountain sickness. NEJM 1969; 280:175-184.
- Hüfner K, Falla M, Brugger H, et al. Isolated high altitude psychosis, delirium at high altitude, and high altitude cerebral edema: are these diagnoses valid? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1221047.
- Kandel K, Regmi PR, Poudel S. Susceptibility - weighted imaging: a valuable diagnostic tool for early detection of high-altitude cerebral edema: a case report. Radiol Case Rep 2023; 18:3089-3092.
- And 2 more. Subscribe to see the full list
