Clinical and Radiological Spectrum of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Symptoms of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) include headache, altered mental status, visual disturbances, and seizures. Typical radiological features include edema of the parieto-occipital lobes. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical and radiological findings in patients diagnosed with PRES. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with PRES between January 2006 and December 2012 were retrospectively included in this study. We reviewed demographic and clinical characteristics, and radiological findings. RESULTS: We identified 16 patients with PRES. The most common clinical presentation was seizure (n = 12, 75%). Clinical recovery occurred in all patients within days (mean, 5.7 +/- 4.6 days). Comorbid conditions included hypertension (n = 4, 25%), cytotoxic medications (n = 3, 18.8%), sepsis (n = 4, 25%), malignancy (n = 4, 25%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 1, 6.3%), autoimmune disorders (n = 1, 6.3%) and eclampsia (n = 1, 6.3%). The most commonly involved location was the parieto-occipital lobe (n = 13, 81.3%). Atypical radiological findings included significant basal ganglia involvement in 4 episodes; brainstem in 3, cerebellum in 2, and thalamus in 3. Eleven patients (68.8%) underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping. Of those, 9 patients (81.8%) had hypo- or isointensity on diffusion-weighted imaging. On the apparent diffusion coefficient map, 10 patients (90.9%) had hyperintensity, and the other had normal values. CONCLUSION: We suggest that PRES may occur in patients with complex systemic conditions. The prognosis of PRES is usually benign. Physicians should be aware of certain atypical radiological findings to avoid a delayed diagnosis of PRES, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent neurological sequlae.

Clinical and Radiological Spectrum of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Symptoms of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) include headache, altered mental status, visual disturbances, and seizures. Typical radiological features include edema of the parieto-occipital lobes. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical and radiological findings in patients diagnosed with PRES. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with PRES between January 2006 and December 2012 were retrospectively included in this study. We reviewed demographic and clinical characteristics, and radiological findings. RESULTS: We identified 16 patients with PRES. The most common clinical presentation was seizure (n = 12, 75%). Clinical recovery occurred in all patients within days (mean, 5.7 +/- 4.6 days). Comorbid conditions included hypertension (n = 4, 25%), cytotoxic medications (n = 3, 18.8%), sepsis (n = 4, 25%), malignancy (n = 4, 25%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 1, 6.3%), autoimmune disorders (n = 1, 6.3%) and eclampsia (n = 1, 6.3%). The most commonly involved location was the parieto-occipital lobe (n = 13, 81.3%). Atypical radiological findings included significant basal ganglia involvement in 4 episodes; brainstem in 3, cerebellum in 2, and thalamus in 3. Eleven patients (68.8%) underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping. Of those, 9 patients (81.8%) had hypo- or isointensity on diffusion-weighted imaging. On the apparent diffusion coefficient map, 10 patients (90.9%) had hyperintensity, and the other had normal values. CONCLUSION: We suggest that PRES may occur in patients with complex systemic conditions. The prognosis of PRES is usually benign. Physicians should be aware of certain atypical radiological findings to avoid a delayed diagnosis of PRES, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent neurological sequlae.

Cervical Pedicle Screw Placement in Sawbone Models and Unstable Cervical Traumatic Lesions by Using Para-Articular Mini-Laminotomy: A Novice Neurosurgeon's Experience / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the novice neurosurgeon's experience of cervical pedicle screw placement by using the technique with direct exposure of pedicle via para-articular mini-laminotomy. METHODS: Fifteen sawbone models of subaxial spine were used (124 pedicles) to evaluate efficacy of repetitive training improving accuracy of cervical pedicle screw insertion. After that, we retrospectively reviewed 9 consecutive patients presented with traumatic cervical lesion. A total 38 cervical pedicle screws had been inserted. We analyzed the direction and grade of pedicle perforation on the postoperative computed tomography scan, and learning curve by using sawbone model. RESULTS: In sawbone model group, the correct position was found in 102 (82.3%) screws, and the incorrect position in 22 (17.7%) screws. The incidence of incorrect screw position was 26.9% in the initial 9 sawbone model, and 0% after that. Among the 38 screws inserted in 9 patients, the correct position was found in 36 (94.7%) screws, and the incorrect position in a 2 (5.3%) screw. There was no neurovascular complications related with cervical pedicle screw insertion. CONCLUSION: In vitro training to insert pedicle screw by using sawbone models could improve an accuracy of cervical pedicle screw placement by using this technique. Preliminary result revealed that cervical pedicle screw placement would be feasible and provide good clinical results in traumatic cervical lesions.