Perinatology.  2019 Sep;30(3):179-182. 10.14734/PN.2019.30.3.179.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Late Postpartum Eclampsia: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea. obgyjeong@hanmail.net
  • 2Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

Late postpartum eclampsia is defined as the onset of a seizure more than 48 hours after delivery. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological entity characterized by clinical manifestations such as seizures, headaches, visual disturbances, altered mental status, and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings, including sub-cortical vasogenic edema at the bilateral parietal and occipital lobes. Late postpartum eclampsia concurrent with PRES is rare, and not always preceded by preeclampsia before delivery. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who developed PRES with late postpartum eclampsia 5 days after cesarean delivery but did not have hypertensive disease during pregnancy.

Keyword

Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; Eclampsia; Postpartum period; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Eclampsia*
Edema
Female
Headache
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Occipital Lobe
Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome*
Postpartum Period*
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Rabeprazole
Seizures

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Axial magnetic resonance imaging in the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome patient. T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery images at various brain levels. (A–D) Multiple high signal-intensity lesions (arrows) in bilateral occipito-parietal regions, bilateral frontal and temporal lobes.

  • Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the head 3 months after hospital discharge. (A–D) Markedly decreased extent of multifocal T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity.


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