A 25-month-old male with a history of mild reactive airway disease and sickle cell trait was noted by his mother to be breathing slowly and erratically 2 h after being laid down for a nap. Emergency medical services were called and paramedics encountered a pulseless, apneic patient. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in the ambulance on route to our institution’s emergency department.\nOn arrival, physical examination revealed an afebrile toddler, unresponsive to voice or noxious stimulation with agonal respirations, a blood oxygen saturation of 93% with bag-mask-assisted ventilation, and a blood pressure of 99/65 mmHg (mean arterial pressure 76 mmHg). Neurologic examination demonstrated 3 mm, non-reactive pupils and global hyperreflexia. Orotracheal intubation was performed emergently. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed normal electrolytes (Na+ 138 mEq/L, K+ 4.9 mEq/L, Cl− 104 mEq/L, Ionized Ca2+ 5.2 mEq/L), leukocyte count (11,100/mm3), venous blood gases (pH 7.37, PvCO2 44, PvO2 47, 25.7), and serum lactate (0.9 mmol/L). Upon further interrogation, the patient’s mother reported the presence of prescription opiates (extended release morphine) in the household, which she uses for pain control secondary to frequent sickle cell anemia crises. A total of two doses of naloxone (0.1 mg/kg i.v. push each) were administered, after which the patient regained pupillary reactivity and began moving all four extremities spontaneously. A urine toxicology panel was obtained, which was positive for morphine.\nA non-contrast head CT was obtained (Figure B), which revealed acute hydrocephalus and extensive, symmetric bilateral cerebellar hemispheric hypoattenuation consistent with severe cerebellar edema that resulted in compression of the fourth ventricle and displacement of the midbrain and pons superiorly. Cervicomedullary junction compression secondary to cerebellar tonsillar herniation was also noted. Neurosurgery was consulted and the patient was emergently taken to the operating room for the placement of an external ventricular drain, suboccipital craniectomy, and a C1 laminectomy. A significant portion of the edematous and ischemic cerebellar hemispheres and tonsils were resected bilaterally, thereby decompressing the posterior fossa and cervicomedullary junction.\nA brain MRI obtained on postoperative day 1 demonstrated cerebellar and cervicomedullary junction decompression, with extensive restricted diffusion in the remaining cerebellar parenchyma (Figure B). Multifocal areas of diffusion restriction were also noted bilaterally in the anterior cerebral artery-middle cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery-posterior cerebral artery watershed territories involving portions of the frontal, occipital, and temporal lobe white matter. An MRA/MR venogram demonstrated no craniocervical or intracranial arterial abnormalities or evidence of cortical or dural venous sinus thrombosis. The patient was extubated on postoperative day 5. Assessment at postoperative day 18 demonstrated an easily arousable child, with spontaneous eye opening, equally round and reactive pupils, and with purposeful movements of all four extremities.\nOutpatient follow-up at 29 months of age (3 months after presentation) demonstrated an active child speaking in full sentences. He was able to ambulate independently, albeit with a slightly widened base of support, and mild left lower extremity spasticity which did not limit his ability to climb or descend stairs with rail support.
The patient was a 9-month-old male with a past medical history significant for in utero drug exposure and mild oral aversion, who had otherwise been reportedly well. The day prior to his initial presentation, he had been swimming with his family and was put down for a nap at 1600. Family checked on him at 2100 hours due to not waking up for dinner but found him sleeping and attributed his increased fatigue to his increased activity throughout the day. At 0700 hours the next day, family was still unable to wake the child. He was taken to the nearest emergency department, where his initial vitals were significant for hypoxemia, with oxygen saturation of 77% on room air and mild hypothermia with axillary temperature of 36.2°C. His physical exam was notable for lethargy and decreased level of arousal without external physical exam findings concerning for apparent injury or infection. Labs were significant for hypoglycemia (30 mg/dL), but his mental status did not improve with glucose supplementation. A head CT was performed, and he was found to have bilateral cerebellar hemisphere hypoattenuation with acute swelling on computed tomography (). The presumed diagnosis at the time was acute stroke of unknown etiology, with the possibility of prolonged hypoglycemia and subsequent hypoxia contributing. He was flown to the closest pediatric tertiary care center and admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for close neurological monitoring and further evaluation.