A Case of Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy After Rhabdomyolysis

ABSTRACT

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy is commonly associated with malignant hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. A 17-year-old man who was diagnosed with traumatic rhabdomyolysis presented with seizure, visual disturbance, and severe pain in both thighs. Brain MRI revealed multiple areas of cortical and subcortical high signal intensities on T2 weighted images in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes. He was treated with antihypertensive and anticonvulsant drugs and steroids. Forty days later, a follow-up MRI showed almost complete resolution of the brain lesions. The reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy may be associated with acute hypertension due to rhabdomyolysis-related acute renal failure. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(2)163~166, 2001)