significant generalised low attenuation of the entire brain parenchyma and to less extent cerebellum (density of cerebellum is greater than cerebral hemispheres => reversal sign)
evidence of diffuse cerebral oedema with effacement of the grey-white matter borders and marked effacement of the brain sulci as well as major cisterns
attenuated (non visualized) ventricular system with no midline shift
associated hyper-density is noted within the cisterns giving the appearance of pseudo-subarachnoid haemorrhage due to effacement of the subarachnoid space surrounding blood vessels.