Microhemorrhages in the corpus callosum after treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Cerebral microhemorrhages (MH) are diminutive focal bleedings which can be detected best by MRI using susceptibility-weighted imaging sequences (SWI). They can be found in a variety of neurologic diseases. The pattern of distribution can lead to the underlying pathomechanism [ 1 ]. Survivors of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) showed multiple MH, predominantly in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Mountaineers with a lack of acclimatization to high altitudes tend to suffer from HACE. Hypoxemia in great heights is discussed to be the main trigger of HACE [ 2 ]. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS) is characterized by oxygenation failure in mechanically ventilated patients. The severity is classified by the ratio of arterial oxygen tension to fraction of inspired oxygen [ 3 ]. In some patients suffering from severe ARDS, refractory to conventional therapy, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy is the therapeutic option to ensure oxygenation.