Slit-Like Ventricles in Diffuse Cerebral Edema After Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report

Slit-like ventricles can accompany diffuse cerebral edema after cardiac arrest, and their significance depends on the associated parenchymal findings and clinical course.We describe a previously independent 65-yearold man who experienced recurrent cardiac arrest with nonshockable rhythms after a week of worsening dyspnea and peripheral edema.Following prolonged resuscitation, he remained comatose.Cranial computed tomography on hospital day 2 was reported to show diffuse cerebral edema, ventricular compression described as slit-like, and crowding at the foramen magnum.The intensive care assessment also recorded loss of cortical gray-white matter differentiation.Three available axial images illustrate effacement of visible ventricular and other cerebrospinal fluid spaces.Following multidisciplinary review and discussions with the family, life-sustaining treatment was withdrawn in the setting of reported severe brain injury, refractory shock, and multiorgan dysfunction.The patient died early on hospital day 3.This case illustrates severe ventricular compression reported as slit-like, with complete effacement at the sites represented on the selected images.It cannot establish neurological prognosis or validate treatmentwithdrawal decisions.