Korean J Cerebrovasc Surg.  2004 Sep;6(2):177-180.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Eclamptic Encephalopathy: A Case Report

• Kang YJ
• Yang HJ
• Kim JK
• Jung TK
• Jin W
• Park CW

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by headache, vomiting, confusion, and seizure. In addition, PRES is associated with reversible bilateral cortical and subcortical edema on occipital lobe or parieto-occipital lobe. Eclampsia is a rare condition to pregnant and puerperal women and one of common causes of the PRES. The clinical and radiologic manifestations can be resolved without irreversible complication by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The authors report a case of eclamptic encephalopathy associated with PRES, in which an 18-year-old woman had clinical manifestations of visual disturbance, headache, and tonic-clonic seizure at 34 hours after vaginal delivery. High signal intensities are seen in both parieto-occipital lobes and left basal ganglia on fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images and T2 weighted images performed at emergency room. But no significant signal change in both parieto-occipital lobes on diffusion weighted images (DWI). Because seizure was repeated, then anticonvulsant was administered at intensive care unit. On the second day, the clinical manifestations were resolved as blood pressure was normalized. The FLAIR imaging and DWI sequences can play an important role in the diagnosis of PRES.

Keyword

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; Eclampsia

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Basal Ganglia
Blood Pressure
Diagnosis
Diffusion
Early Diagnosis
Eclampsia
Edema
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Headache
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Occipital Lobe
Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome*
Pregnancy
Seizures
Vomiting