Cortical pseudolaminar
necrosis, also known as cortical laminar necrosis and simply laminar necrosis, is the (uncontrolled)
death
Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...
of
cells in the
(cerebral) cortex of the
brain
A brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It is located in the head, usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision. It is the most complex organ in a ve ...
in a band-like pattern,
[Hypoxic and Ischemic Encephalopathy. neuropathology.neoucom.edu. Accessed on: 29 December 2010.] with a relative preservation of cells immediately adjacent to the
meninges.
It is seen in the context of cerebral
hypoxic
Hypoxia means a lower than normal level of oxygen, and may refer to:
Reduced or insufficient oxygen
* Hypoxia (environmental), abnormally low oxygen content of the specific environment
* Hypoxia (medical), abnormally low level of oxygen in the t ...
-
ischemic
Ischemia or ischaemia is a restriction in blood supply to any tissue, muscle group, or organ of the body, causing a shortage of oxygen that is needed for cellular metabolism (to keep tissue alive). Ischemia is generally caused by problems w ...
insults, e.g.
status epilepticus,
strokes.
Histologically, grey matter is more vulnerable than white matter to necrosis due to lack of oxygen. The third layer of the grey matter is the most vulnerable. Damage is greater in the sulci when compared to gyri of the brain.
When seen on CT scan, it shows hyperdensity in the surface of the cortex. Cortical enhancement is seen after two weeks, with maximum intensity at one to two months, and resolved after six months.
On MRI scan, early changes show low T1 intensity due to ischemic changes. There is high T1 intensity due to accumulation of neuronal damage, reactive tissue changes, and deposition of fat-laden macrophages.
See also
*
Cardiovascular disease
*
Reactive astrocyte
*
status epilepticus
*
Stroke
References
{{Reflist, 1
External links
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy - principles (neuropathology-web.org)
Pathology