‘White cerebellar sign’ in immediate postpartum period

White Cerebellum Sign - An Ominous Radiological Imaging Finding: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Although the white cerebellum sign is important from diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic viewpoint, yet it is an uncommonly described sign in diagnostic radiology [9] The sign portends an irreversible brain damage and was initially described in cases of child abuse, though not definite it can be the only evidence of nonaccidental head injury [9,10] It has also been seen in other cases of extra-cerebral hypoxia like in smothering or strangulation [10] Han et al [1], in their work analyzed 20 cases of white cerebellum sign in children and reported that trauma is a rare cause of this sign.…”

“White cerebellum” sign - A dark prognosticator

“…“White cerebellum” sign is a classic but uncommonly described sign in radiology. [ 1 2 ] This sign was initially described in cases of child abuse but is not specific for the same. [ 2 ] Most of the cases in literature have been described following hypoxic ischemic damage.…”

“…[ 1 2 ] This sign was initially described in cases of child abuse but is not specific for the same. [ 2 ] Most of the cases in literature have been described following hypoxic ischemic damage. We found only 2 articles from India with this sign, of which one was following trauma[ 2 ] and the other following post-partum seizures.…”

“…[ 2 ] Most of the cases in literature have been described following hypoxic ischemic damage. We found only 2 articles from India with this sign, of which one was following trauma[ 2 ] and the other following post-partum seizures. [ 1 ] The appearance is due to generalized decrease in density of the supratentorial structures relative to the cerebellum that retains its normal density.…”

“…The loss of density in the supratentorial structures is due to extensive edema that causes loss of the grey-white interface. [ 1 ] Various hypotheses[ 1 2 ] have been put forward as the cause of this condition including distention of deep medullary veins due to obstruction by raised intracranial pressure resulting in florid cerebral edema, relatively preserved blood flow in posterior circulation, and hypoxia damaging the Na + pump with damage to more metabolically active areas. It has significance as it implies irreversible brain damage,[ 1 ] and it is stated that 1/3 rd of patients with this finding die and the rest have severe deficits.…”