Hypertensive encephalopathy: complication in children treated for myeloproliferative disorders--report of three cases.

We routinely perform echo-planar diffusion-weighted sequences in all brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. When three children undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia presented with seizures, conventional MR images demonstrated what appeared to be acute, posterior, parasagittal infarcts. However, diffusion-weighted images were normal. These MR imaging findings were consistent with those of hypertensive encephalopathy. Early recognition and treatment of minimal hypertension in these patients allows reversal of encephalopathy.