Semin Neurol 2000; 20(2): 209-218
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9830
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): The Denver/ Front Range Experience

Philip R. Yarnell1,2 , Joseph Heit2 , Peter H. Hackett3
  • 1Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
  • 2St. Anthony's Hospital Denver, Colorado
  • 3Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center, Grand Junction, Colorado
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

ABSTRACT

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a potentially fatal metabolic encephalopathy associated with a time-dependent exposure to the hypobaric hypoxia of altitude. Symptoms commonly are headache, ataxia, and confusion progressing to stupor and coma. HACE is often preceded by symptoms of acute mountain sickness and coupled, in its severe form, with high-altitude pulmonary edema. Although HACE is mostly seen at altitudes above that of the Denver/Front Range visitor-skier locations, we report our observations over a 13-year period of skier-visitor HACE patients. It is believed that this is a form of vasogenic edema, and it is responsive to expeditious treatment with a successful outcome.

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