Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Lead encephalitis --> lead encephalopathy

a metabolic encephalopathy, caused by the ingestion of lead compounds and seen particularly in early childhood; it is characterised pathologically by extensive cerebral oedema, status spongiosus, neurocytolysis, and some reactive inflammation; clinical manifestations include convulsions, delirium, and hallucinations.

See: lead poisoning.

Synonym: lead encephalitis, saturnine encephalopathy.