Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Jan;49(1):188-193.

A case of Hypertensive Encephalopathy after cesarean section

• Song DK
• Kim KW

Abstract

Hypertensive encephalopathy is usually defined as malignant hypertension associated with central nervous system abnormalities such as headache, seizure, hypertension, altered consciousness, increased intracranial pressure, and retinopathy. The pathogenesis of hypertensive encephalopathy is uncompletely understood, although it seems to be related to hypertensive cerebrovascular endothelial dysfunction, disruption of the blood-brain barrier with increased permeability, cerebral edema, and microhemorrhage formation. Magnetic resonance imaging shows a characteristic posterior leukoencephalopathy that predominantly affects the white matter of the parieto-occipital regions. Hypertensive encephalopathy is a rare manifestation of hypertensive emergency that requires proper diagnosis and management to avoid a irreversible brain damage. We report a patient who developed hypertensive encephalopathy after cesarean section without preeclampsia or chronic hypertension and a case presented with a brief review of the literatures.

Keyword

Hypertension; Leukoenencephalopathy; Cesarean section

MeSH Terms

Blood-Brain Barrier
Brain
Brain Edema
Central Nervous System
Cesarean Section*
Consciousness
Diagnosis
Emergencies
Female
Headache
Humans
Hypertension
Hypertension, Malignant
Hypertensive Encephalopathy*
Intracranial Pressure
Leukoencephalopathies
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Permeability
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Seizures