Acute neurological disorders in women during pregnancy and peurperium

Abstract

Neurological disorders in women during pregnancy and puerperium are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. There are certain neurological conditions which are specifically related to physiological changes during this period (eg: eclampsia, Sheehan’s syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome) and some disorders which have increased risk but not specific to women in pregnancy and puerperium (eg: cerebral venous thrombosis, infarction). As radiologists, an understanding of the patho physiological mechanism and imaging findings associated with these various conditions is necessary in timely diagnosis and initiating therapy which in turn helps prevent complications to both them other and the fetus. Any prophylaxis against these events should be particularly targeted to postpartum women, indicating the need to better identify pregnant women at increased risk.