Encefalopatía posterior reversible en el curso de una emergencia hipertensiva, serie de cuatro niños hospitalizados en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell / Posterior reversible encephalopathy during a hypertensive emergency in 4 children hospitalized at the Pereira Rossell Pediatric Hospital / Encefalopatia reversível durante uma emergência hipertensiva em 4 crianças hospitalizadas no Centro Hospitalar Pereira Rossell

Introducción: la encefalopatía posterior reversible (PRES) es un complejo sindromático caracterizado por cefaleas, crisis epilépticas, trastornos visuales y alteración del sensorio asociado a cambios en la sustancia blanca de lóbulos occipitales y parietales en la resonancia nuclear magnética. Se relaciona con diversas causas que provocan edema cerebral, entre las que se destaca la hipertensión arterial (HTA) y los tratamientos inmunosupresores. Descripción de casos: se incluyeron cuatro niños hospitalizados entre el 1 de enero de 2005 y el 31 de diciembre de 2015 en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. La mediana de edad fue 11,5 años. La manifestación clínica inicial en tres de los cuatro pacientes fue disnea y edemas generalizados. Todos presentaron hipertensión endocraneana y convulsiones generalizadas. La tomografía computada fue la primera imagen solicitada en todos los pacientes, evidenciado lesiones hipodensas córtico-subcorticales occipitales, parietales y frontales. Se realizó resonancia magnética en tres casos con hallazgos característicos. Todos presentaron síndrome nefrítico con cifras de tensión arterial mayores al P99, insuficiencia renal reversible, disminución de C3 y aumento del antiestreptolisina O (AELO). El control de HTA requirió politerapia en unidad de cuidado crítico. Ninguno presentó secuelas neurológicas. Conclusiones: la PRES es una asociación o manifestación poco habitual de la emergencia hipertensiva. Es necesaria la sospecha e identificación por parte del pediatra con el fin de realizar un abordaje terapéutico adecuado y precoz.

Introduction: posterior reversible encephalopathy (PRES) is a complex syndrome characterized by headaches, epileptic seizures, visual disturbances and sensorial alterations associated to changes of white matter in parieto-occipital regions shown in magnetic nuclear resonance. It is linked to various causes that provoke cerebral edema including arterial hypertension (AH) and immunosuppressive treatments. Clinical cases: 4 children admitted between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015 at the Pereira Rossell Pediatric Hospital. Median age: 11.5 years. The initial clinical manifestation in 3 of 4 patients was dyspnea and generalized edema. All of them presented endocranial hypertension and generalized convulsions. CT was the first requested image to all patients, and it was clear that all of them had experienced occipital cortical-subcortical, parietal and frontal hypodense lesions. In three of the cases we performed a Magnetic Resonance that showed typical findings. All of them presented nephritic syndrome with arterial hypertension over P99, reversible renal failure, a decrease of C3 and an increase of Antistreptolysin O (AELO). HTA control required polytherapy at the critical care unit. None of them presented neurological sequelae. Conclusions: PRES is an association or unusual manifestation of hypertensive emergency. Early detection by pediatricians seems essential to provide an appropriate therapeutic approach.

Introdução: a encefalopatia posterior reversível (PRES) é uma síndrome complexa caracterizada por dores de cabeça, convulsões epilépticas, distúrbios visuais e alterações sensoriais associadas à mudança da substância branca nas regiões parieto-occipitais observadas na ressonância magnética nuclear. Está ligada a várias causas que provocam o edema cerebral, incluindo hipertensão arterial (HA) e tratamentos imunossupressores. Casos clínicos: 4 crianças internadas entre 1º de janeiro de 2005 e 31 de dezembro de 2015 no Hospital Pediátrico Pereira Rossell. Idade mediana: 11,5 anos. A manifestação clínica inicial em 3 dos 4 pacientes foi dispneia e edema generalizado. Todos apresentaram hipertensão endocraniana e convulsões generalizadas. A TC foi a primeira imagem solicitada e todos os pacientes mostraram lesões occipitais corticais-subcorticais, parietais e hipodensas frontais evidentes. Em três dos casos, a Ressonância Magnética mostrou achados típicos. Todos apresentaram síndrome nefrítica com hipertensão arterial acima de P99, insuficiência renal reversível, diminuição de C3 e aumento de antiestreptolisina O (AELO). O controle de HTA requereu politerapia na unidade de terapia intensiva. Nenhum dos pacientes apresentou sequelas neurológicas. Conclusões: A PRES é uma associação ou manifestação de emergência hipertensiva pouco comum. A detecção precoce do pediatra é essencial para fornecer uma abordagem terapêutica adequada.

Hypertensive Encephalopathy with Multiple Lacunar Infarcts and Microbleeds

No abstract available.

Clinical characteristics of hypertensive encephalopathy in pediatric patients / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of hypertensive encephalopathy according to the underlying etiologies in children. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 33 pediatric patients who were diagnosed as having hypertensive encephalopathy in Chonbuk National University Children's Hospital. Among the patients, 18 were excluded because of incomplete data or because brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not performed. Finally, 17 patients were enrolled and divided into a renal-origin hypertension group and a non-renal-origin hypertension group according to the underlying cause. We compared the clinical features and brain MRI findings between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The renal group included renal artery stenosis (4), acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (2), lupus nephritis (2), and acute renal failure (1); the nonrenal group included essential hypertension (4), pheochromocytoma (2), thyrotoxicosis (1), and acute promyelocytic leukemia (1). The mean systolic blood pressure of the renal group (172.5±36.9 mmHg) was higher than that of the nonrenal group (137.1±11.1 mmHg, P<0.05). Seizure was the most common neurologic symptom, especially in the renal group (P<0.05). Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which is the most typical finding of hypertensive encephalopathy, was found predominantly in the renal group as compared with the nonrenal group (66.6% vs. 12.5%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the patients with renal-origin hypertension had a more severe clinical course than those with non-renal-origin hypertension. Furthermore, the renal-origin group was highly associated with PRES on brain MRI.

Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy in a Patient with Acute Lacunar Infarction

No abstract available.

Clinical Characteristics of Transplant-associated Encephalopathy in Children

We aimed to analyze characteristics of encephalopathy after both hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ pediatric transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 662 pediatric transplant recipients (201 with liver transplantation [LT], 55 with heart transplantation [HT], and 67 with kidney transplantation [KT], 339 with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]) who received their graft organs at Asan Medical Center between January 2000 and July 2014. Of the 662 patients, 50 (7.6%) experienced encephalopathy after transplantation. The incidence of encephalopathy was significantly different according to the type of organ transplant: LT, 16/201 (8.0%), HT, 13/55 (23.6%), KT, 5/67 (7.5%), and HSCT, 16/339 (4.7%) (P < 0.001). Drug-induced encephalopathy (n = 14) was the most common encephalopathy for all transplant types, but particularly after HSCT. Hypertensive encephalopathy was the most common after KT and HT, whereas metabolic encephalopathy was the most common after LT. The median time to encephalopathy onset also differed according to the transplant type: 5 days after KT (range 0–491 days), 10 days after HT (1–296 days), 49.5 days after HSCT (9–1,405 days), and 39 days after LT (1–1,092 days) (P = 0.018). The mortality rate among patients with encephalopathy was 42.0% (n = 21/50). Only 5 patients died of neurologic complications. Transplant-associated encephalopathy presented different characteristics according to the type of transplant. Specialized diagnostic approach for neurologic complications specific to the type of transplant may improve survival and quality of life in children after transplantation.

Reversible Obstructive Hydrocephalus from Hypertensive Encephalopathy: A Condition that Neurosurgeons Must Know / Hidrocefalia obstrutiva reversível secundária a encefalopatia hipertensiva: uma condição que o neurocirurgião deve conhecer

The vasogenic edema in structures of posterior fossa secondary to elevated hydrostatic pressure can cause obstructive hydrocephalus, a condition called "reversible obstructive hydrocephalus from hypertensive encephalopathy." A case of a 27-year-old woman with arterial hypertension and sign of raised intracranial pressure is reported. Her radiologic studies have showed vasogenic cerebellar edema without structural lesion. This edema leads to obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct. We discuss the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this condition. In this clinical situation, the accurate control of blood pressure is themain goal on medical care, and the need of permanent ventricular shunt is quite infrequent.

O edema vasogênico secundário a elevação da pressão hidrostática capilar pode causar hidrocefalia obstrutiva, a chamada Hidrocefalia Obstrutiva Reversível secundária a Encefalopatia Hipertensiva. Nós apresentamos umcaso de umamulher de 27 anos com hipertensão arterial e sinais de hipertensão intracraniana. Sua investigação radiológica evidenciou sinais de edema vasogênico cerebelar bilateral sem lesão estrutural, determinando obstrução do aqueduto cerebral Nós discutimos os aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos deste caso. Nesta condição, o adequado controle da pressão arterial é a principal medida terapêutica, sendo a necessidade de derivação liquórica permanente infrequente.

Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy with Extensive Supratentorial Involvement

Hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy is a rare variant of hypertensive encephalopathy. A 54-year-old female with chronic kidney disease visited our hospital because of comatose mentality. Her blood pressure was 256/206 mmHg. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal vasogenic edema in the brainstem, cerebellum, and bilateral cerebral cortical, subcortical, and deep nuclear areas. Her symptoms and radiological lesions improved when the blood pressure was decreased. This case demonstrates that these extensive lesions can be associated with an acute hypertensive crisis.

Hypertensive Encephalopathy with Atypical Imaging Findings

No abstract available.

Sinais e sintomas em hipertensão arterial / Signs and symptoms of hypertension

A hipertensão arterial humana primária ou essencial abrange, na sua maioria, indivíduos no estágio I (pressão arterial sistólica [PAS] entre 140 e 160mmHg e pressão arterial diastólica [PAD] entre 90 e 100mmHg) e mesmo em estágios mais avançados (estágio II - PAS até 180mmHg, PAD até 110mmHg). Assintomática por muitos anos, tem sido cunhada como "o matador silencioso". Os sintomas e sinais mais frequentemente observados nos indivíduos hipertensos estão associados à hipertensão arterial de origem secundária ou são consequência da duração e gravidade do comprometimento dos órgãos-alvo (coração, cérebro, rim, olhos e vasos arteriais)...

The primary human arterial hypertension or essential cover mostly individuals in stage I (systolic blood pressure [SBP] between 140 and 160mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] between 90 and 100mmHg) and even in the most advanced stages (stage II - PAS until 180mmHg, PAD until 110mmHg). Asymptomatic for many years, it has been named as "the silent killer". The symptoms and signals more frequently observed in hypertensive individuals are related to arterial hypertension that has secondary orign or being consequence due duration and gravity of target organ which were affected (heart, brain, kidney, eyes and anterial vessels)...

Encefalopatia hipertensiva. Fisiopatologia e abordagem terapêutica / Hypertensive encephalopathy. Pathophysiology and therapeutic approach

A encefalopatia hipertensiva inclui-se dentre as emergências hipertensivas, ou seja, situação clínica caracterizada por elevação pressórica acentuada com lesão aguda progressiva em órgão-alvo, com maior risco de óbito, exigindo imediata redução da pressão arterial com agentes aplicados por via parenteral. Na emergência hipertensiva, ocorre elevação abrupta da pressão arterial ocasionando, em território cerebral, perda da autorregulação do fluxo sanguíneo e evidências de lesão vascular, com quadro clínico de encefalopatia hipertensiva, lesões hemorrágicas dos vasos da retina e papiledema. Na presença de elevação acentuada da pressão arterial é fundamental a identificação de lesões agudas de órgãos-alvo e o diagnóstico apropriado e precoce das emergências hipertensivas. Confirmado o diagnóstico de da encefalopatia hipertensiva e avaliadas outras condições clínicas associadas, o tratamento deve ser prontamente instituído, em unidade de terapia intensiva, preferencialmente com nitroprussiato de sódio endovenoso, mas tomando-se o cuidado para diminuição gradativa da pressão, e não necessariamente a sua normalização, com o objetivo de se evitar complicações isquêmicas.

Hypertensive encephalopathy is included among the hypertensive emergencies, that is, a clinical condition characterized by severe blood pressure elevation with acute progressive damage to the target organ, with higher risk of death, requiring immediate reduction of blood pressure with agents via parenteral application. In hypertensive emergency patients, an abrupt rise in blood pressure occurs, resulting in loss of autoregulation of blood flow and evidence of vascular injury, with clinical findings of hypertensive encephalopathy, hemorrhagic lesions of retinal vessels and papilledema in the cerebral area. In the presence of a marked elevation of blood pressure, it is essential to identify acute damages to target organs,and to diagnosis hypertensive emergencies appropriately andearly. Once the hypertensive encephalopathy diagnosis is confirmed and other associated clinical conditions are assesses, treatment should be promptly instituted in the intensive care unit, preferably with sodium nitroprusside, with special attention to keeping a gradual decrease in blood pressure, and not necessarily lowering it below the normal range, in order to prevent ischemic complications.

Emergências hipertensivas: epidemiologia, definição e classificação / Hypertensive emergencies: epidemiology, definition and classification

Embora vários termos tenham sido aplicados para hipertensão grave, tais como crise hipertensiva, emergências ou urgências, todos eles são caracterizados por elevações agudas da pressão arterial que podem estar associados com lesão de órgão-fim (crise hipertensiva). Práticas de tratamento variam consideravelmente por causa da falta de evidências que suportam o uso de um agente terapêutico em detrimento de outro. O objetivo desta revisão foi analisar a fisiopatologia das crises hipertensivas comumente encontradas, incluindo acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), encefalopatia hipertensiva, dissecção aórtica, edema pulmonar agudo e pré-eclâmpsia/eclâmpsia, e fornecer uma abordagem racional para o seu tratamento com base em princípios fisiopatológicos e farmacológicos relevantes.

Although various terms have been applied to severe hypertension, such as hypertensive crisis, emergencies, or urgencies, they are all characterized by acute elevations in blood pressure that may be associated with end-organ damage (hypertensive crisis). Treatment practices vary considerably to because of the lack of the evidence supporting the use of one therapeutic agent over another. The purpose of this review is to examine the pathophysiology of commonly encountered hypertensive crises, including stroke, hypertensive encephalopathy, aortic dissection, acute pulmonary edema and preeclampsia/eclampsia and to provide a rational approach to their treatment based upon relevant pathophysiologic and pharmacologic principles

Aspectos fisiopatológicos e clínicos das emergências hipertensivas / Pathophysiology and clinical aspects of hypertensive emergencies

Esta revisão objetivou descrever aspectos fisiopatológicos, epidemiológicos e clínicos das emergências hipertensivas (EHs). Para isso, caracterizou a emergência e a urgência hipertensiva dentro do contexto da crise hipertensiva (CH), discutiu aspectos fisiopatológicos da elevação aguda da pressão arterial (PA) e o comprometimento de órgãos-alvo envolvidos nas EHs; expôs os fatores de risco e as condições clínicas associadas a essa manifestação e apresentou uma abordagem clínica sucinta para o correto diagnóstico. Finalmente, analisou conceitos atuais sobre o tratamento das EHs, esquematizando a conduta terapêutica

This review aimed to describe the pathophysiology, epidemiology and clinical aspects of hypertensive emergencies. It addressed hypertensive emergencies and urgencies within the context of the hypertensive crisis, discussed the pathophysiology of acute elevations of blood pressure and the involvement of target organs affected by hypertensive emergencies; it described risk factors and associated clinical conditions of this event and presented a brief clinical approach to the correct diagnosis. Finally, this report analyzed current concepts on the treatment of hypertensive emergencies outlining therapy.

Probable Isolated Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy Combined with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: a Case Report

Hypertensive encephalopathy and basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are a medical emergency caused by a sudden elevation of systemic blood pressure. Although the relationship between hypertensive encephalopathy and large ICH has not been clarified yet, Cushing reflex in acute elevations of ICP due to large ICH may induce or aggravate hypertensive encephalopathy. We report a rare case of isolated hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy combined with hypertensive ICH.

Encefalopatias: etiologia, fisiopatologia e manuseio clínico de algumas das principais formas de apresentação da doença / Encephalopathies: etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of some major forms of disease presentation

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As encefalopatias compõem um grupo heterogêneo de etiologias, onde a pronta e correta atuação médica direcionada à causa da doença, pode modificar o prognóstico do paciente. O objetivo deste estudo foi rever os aspectos fisiopatológicos das diferentes encefalopatias bem como seus principais fatores desencadeantes e manuseio clínico.CONTEÚDO: Foram selecionadas as mais frequentes encefalopatias observadas na prática clínica e discutir sua fisiopatologia, bem como sua abordagem terapêutica, destacando: encefalopatia hipertensiva, hipóxico-isquêmica, metabólica, Wernicke-Korsakoff, traumática e tóxica.CONCLUSÃO: Trata-se de uma complexa condição clínica que exige rápida identificação e preciso manuseio clínico com o intuito de reduzir sua elevada taxa de morbimortalidade. O atraso no reconhecimento dessa condição clínica poderá ser extremamente prejudicial ao paciente que estará sofrendo lesão cerebral muitas vezes irreversível.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Encephalopathies comprise a heterogeneous group of clinical conditions, in which the prompt and adequate medical intervention can modify patient prognosis. This paper aims to discuss the pathophysiological aspects of different encephalopathies, their etiology, and clinical management.CONTENTS: We selected the main encephalopathies observed in clinical practice, such as hypertensive, hypoxic-ischemic, metabolic, Wernicke-Korsakoff, traumatic, and toxic encephalopathies, and to discuss their therapeutic approaches.CONCLUSION: This is a complex clinical condition that requires rapid identification and accurate clinical management with the aim of reducing its high morbidity and mortality rates. Delay in recognizing this condition can be extremely harmful to the patient who is suffering from often irreversible brain injury.

Severe Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy in Pheochromocytoma: Importance of Susceptibility-Weighted MRI

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertension in children. Hypertension is one of the common reasons of posterior reversible encephalopathy. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a serious and unexpected complication of hypertensive encephalopathy due to pheochromocytoma, and very rarely seen in the childhood. Intracerebral hemorrhages should be searched if there are hypertensive reversible signal changes on the brain. Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a more sensitive method than conventional MRI when demonstrating cerebral microhemorrhagic foci. This is the first report of SWI findings on intracerebral hemorrhages in basal ganglia, brain stem and periventricular white matter due to hypertensive encephalopathy in a child with pheochromocytoma.

Hypertensive Encephalopathy with Reversible Brainstem Edema

Presented here is a 36-year-old male with arterial hypertension who developed brainstem edema and intracranial hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance scan revealed diffuse brainstem hyperintensity in T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery images, with an increase in apparent diffusion coefficient values. After a reduction in blood pressure, rapid resolution of the brainstem edema was observed on follow-up. The patient's condition was thus interpreted as hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy. While many consider this a vasogenic phenomenon, induced by sudden, severe hypertension, the precise mechanism remains unclear. Prompt recognition and aggressive antihypertensive treatment in such patients are essential to prevent permanent or life-threatening neurologic injury.