Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following carboplatin and paclitaxel in cervical cancer: Case report.

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy is a rare radio-clinical entity that has gained increasing recognition over the last two decades. It is associated with various etiologies: arterial hypertension, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy, and immunosuppressive drugs. Several cases have already been reported following cancer therapy. Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy is characterized by capital clinical signs (headache, seizures, confusional syndrome, and visual disorders) and radiological abnormalities (cerebral edema predominantly in the posterior regions). We report the case of a 38-year-old female patient diagnosed with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy after receiving Carboplatin and Paclitaxel chemotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer, which was revealed by a generalized seizure. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed T2 Flair hyper signals in the parieto-occipital regions. This complication is rare but is probably underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and limited hindsight. Rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent acute neurological complications, which can be life-threatening or functionally crippling regardless of neoplasia.

Clinical and Radiological Features of Unilateral Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): A Case Report.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiological entity characterized by reversible vasogenic edema predominantly affecting the posterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres. However, unilateral presentation of PRES is an exceptionally rare manifestation. We describe the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with left-sided hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, headache, and focal motor seizures. Brain CT revealed right anterior and posterior hypodensities in the right frontal and parietal subcortical locations, brain MRI showed vasogenic edema in the subcortical right cerebral hemisphere, and cerebral angiogram revealed diffuse narrowing of the left internal carotid artery just distal to the carotid bifurcation with no flow of contrast beyond the ophthalmic segment. The patient's symptoms resolved during her admission, MRI findings improved on repeated imaging, and she was ultimately diagnosed with unilateral PRES. Unilateral PRES is a complex and challenging diagnosis, and this case sheds light on the atypical radiological features of unilateral PRES possibly intricately linked with contralateral steno-occlusive disease of the carotid artery. It is essential to maintain the atypical variants of PRES as part of the differential diagnosis when encountering acute neurological symptoms and vasogenic edema on imaging in the context of contralateral steno-occlusive disease of the carotid artery.

Pediatric posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: Can MR imaging features predict outcomes in non-oncologic patients?

PURPOSE: Identify MR features predictive of poor outcomes in non-oncologic pediatric PRES. METHOD: A six-year search of all non-oncologic pediatric patients with clinical and MR features of PRES was performed. Modified Rankin scores were used to classify clinical outcomes into good versus poor, then clinical and MR features were compared among groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify MR predictors of poor outcomes for various imaging features, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one patients (mean age 10.1 ± 3.0 years, male to female ratio 1:1.1) were included. Clinically, nephrotic syndrome (p = 0.03), focal deficits (p = 0.04), longer hospitalization (p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor outcomes. Univariate analysis revealed that deep grey matter nuclei (OR = 5.29, 95 % CI: 1.6-18.0) and cerebellar edema patterns (OR = 3.49, 95 % CI: 1.3-9.5), cytotoxic edema (OR = 63.6, 95 % CI:16.5-244.2), hemorrhage (OR = 16.58, 95 % CI: 4.3-64.2), and severe PRES patterns (OR = 11.0, 95 % CI: 3.5-34.7) on MR were all significantly associated with poor outcomes (p-values = 0.008 and 0.014, <0.001, <0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). This remained true for cytotoxic edema (OR = 84.26, 95 % CI: 17.3-410.9, p-value < 0.001) and hemorrhage (OR = 44.56, 95 % CI: 6.9-289.7, p-value < 0.001) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Diffusion restriction and hemorrhage on initial MR scans were the two independent predictors of poor outcomes in non-oncologic pediatric patients.

COVID-19-related posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: insights from a clinical case.

In the present case report, a 50-year-old female presented with hemiparesis and blurred vision and was subsequently diagnosed with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cortico-subcortical edema with hyperintensities bilaterally in the frontoparietal and bi-occipital regions. Although PRES is a neurotoxic disorder that typically affects white matter of the brain and often is associated with hypertension, renal failure, and autoimmune disorders, recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 increases the risk of PRES. This case report presents a unique instance of COVID-19-related PRES. Unlike most previously reported cases occurring during the acute phase of severe COVID-19, our patient experienced PRES during the recovery phase with mild initial symptoms, such as fatigue and mild fever. The article discusses the pathophysiology of PRES, the potential mechanisms by which COVID-19 leads to PRES, and the treatment and outcome of the patient.

Experimental Models of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Review From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Targets.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiological entity characterized by nonspecific symptomatology (eg, headache, visual disturbances, encephalopathy, and seizures) and classically cortical and subcortical vasogenic edema predominantly affecting the parietooccipital region. PRES etiologies are usually dichotomized into toxic PRES (eg, antineoplastic drugs, illicit drugs) and clinical condition-associated PRES (eg, acute hypertension, dysimmune disorders). Although the pathophysiology of PRES remains elusive, 2 main pathogenic hypotheses have been suggested: cerebral hyperperfusion due to acute hypertension and cerebral hypoperfusion related to endothelial dysfunction. Research into the pathogenesis of PRES has emerged through the development of animal models in the last decade. The motivation for developing a suitable PRES model is 2-fold: to fill in knowledge gaps of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, and to open new perspectives for clinical assessment of pharmacological targets to improve therapeutic management of PRES. All current models of PRES have a hypertensive background, on which other triggers (acute hypertension, inflammatory, drug toxicity) have been added to address specific facets of PRES (eg, seizures). The initial model consisted in inducing a reduced uterine perfusion pressure that mimics preeclampsia, a leading cause of PRES. More recently, a model of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats on high-salt diet, originally developed for hypertensive small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment, has been studied in PRES. This review aims to discuss, depending on the research objective, the benefits and limitations of current experimental approaches and thus to define the desirable characteristics for studying the pathophysiology of PRES and developing new therapies.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome as an Adverse Effect of Lenvatinib in a Patient with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an uncommon transient neuroradiological phenomenon that develops vasogenic cerebral edema and could be caused by some pharmacological agents, such as molecular-specific target agents. Lenvatinib belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors and was approved in 2015 for progressive locally advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer refractory to radioactive iodine (I-131) treatment. Herein, we present the case of a 65-year-old woman who, while receiving treatment with lenvatinib for radioiodine-refractory metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma, developed PRES without hypertension at the initial evaluation. Her clinical and radiological findings improved after withdrawing from the mentioned therapy, and later it was possible to re-incorporate lower doses of the medication, as described in the other three case reports found in the worldwide medical literature. The recognition of this entity is essential to timely suspend the drug and avoid greater comorbidity. This is the first paper reporting this kind of adverse event using lenvatinib in a Hispanic population.

Antiglomerular basement membrane antibody type rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with seizures: Two cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is clinically manifestations as a rapidly progressive renal failure and pathologically as crescentic and necrotizing lesions with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the glomeruli. Uremic encephalopathy (UE) usually develops in patients who are suffering from acute or chronic renal failure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of renal disease complicated with seizures. Patients Two cases of anti-glomerular basement membrane type rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis complicated with seizures were reported. MATERIALS & METHODS: In case 1, a 40-year-old woman was hospitalized for the treatment of nausea, anorexia, and fever. On admission, she presented with elevated serum inflammatory indicators, moderate anemia, and advanced acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis. Her anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody in serum and renal tissues was found to be extremely high. She was finally diagnosed with anti-GBM disease. She was treated with a combination of corticosteroid pulse therapy, oral cyclophosphamide and prednisolone, and plasma exchange, while continued to require maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease. During treatment, she suddenly suffered blindness, seizure, and consciousness disturbance. She was diagnosed as posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome subsided quickly after control of her hypertension and reinforcement of immunosuppressive treatment. In case 2, the patient also developed epileptic symptoms on the basis of GBM disease, and was given treatment similar to that of Case 1, so that the epileptic symptoms were controlled. RESULT: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, especially when accompanied by cerebral hemorrhage, may lead to irreversible and lethal neurological abnormalities, and nephrologists should, therefore, be aware of the potential risk of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in patients with anti-GBM disease. We can discuss the current two cases in the light of the previous literature.

Amaurosis Fugax in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Vexed Hurdle in a Postpartum Primigravida Patient.

In this case report, we highlight a case of a 24-year-old primigravida who suffered a sudden and painless loss of vision and headache in the immediate postpartum period. Vision loss was transient and remarkable. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed vasogenic edema in parieto-occipital white matter, suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a clinical-radiological entity, having hemodynamic catastrophe also known as reversible posterior cerebral edema syndrome. It tends to occur during pregnancy complicated by eclampsia. Hypertension and a hypercoagulable tendency tend to engulf the entire homeostasis into its deadly clutches sending the autoregulation into a frizzy. It presents with a gamut of red flags like headache, seizures, encephalopathy, amaurosis fugax, cortical visual disturbances, and even blindness. Clinical improvement was seen with supportive treatment in this patient. Thus, timely diagnosis and intervention help reverse the dire consequences.

A Rare Association of Hypomagnesemia and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurologic disorder that presents with variable symptoms and symmetrical abnormal white matter signaling most commonly of the occipital and parietal lobes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PRES, also known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is commonly associated with hypertension. Hypomagnesemia's association with PRES has been rarely reported. Here, we report a patient with severe hypomagnesemia that presented with PRES syndrome that improved with magnesium replacement. Hypomagnesemia should be considered an underlying etiology in patients presenting with PRES syndrome and should be promptly treated. The presentation can often be concerning for acute cerebrovascular accidents with symptoms of dysarthria and upper motor neuron symptoms, such as facial droop, dysarthria, and gait instability. Differential diagnosis of PRES often includes rostral brainstem infarction, transient ischemic attack, infectious encephalopathy, and metabolic/toxic encephalopathy, which is evaluated in the description of the case. The most common presentation of RPLS/PRES includes altered mental status, drowsiness, seizure, vomiting, alterations in speech including dysarthria, and visual disturbance. The first signs noted are commonly lethargy and somnolence. In this case, the patient presented notably with initial symptoms of dysarthria of speech and facial droop, with serum hypomagnesemia in which symptoms corrected rapidly with the administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate.

Rituximab-associated PRES in antibody-mediated kidney rejection: A case report.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurological disorder with a wide range of neurological symptoms. Different risk factors are known for PRES in patients with a history of kidney transplantation; these patients developing PRES were associated with immunosuppressants and cytotoxic drug therapies, including reports of rituximab therapy. Herein, we report a case of rituximab-associated PRES in the context of antibody-mediated kidney allograft rejection. A 29-year-old male patient with antibody-mediated kidney rejection was treated with rituximab, and then he developed PRES. The patient, who was transplanted with a kidney allograft five years earlier, was continuously treated with standard tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil therapy without any symptoms of PRES. Rituximab treatment was started to block an ongoing kidney rejection, and the patient received a second dose of rituximab four days prior to the hospital admission. At admission, the patient demonstrated symptoms of headache, nausea, and photophobia. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed changes consistent with PRES. After 12 days of hospitalization, he was discharged with a complete cessation of the initial symptoms. We postulate that possible endothelial dysfunction caused by rituximab may explain the condition leading to PRES. It is unclear whether rituximab, when used in kidney rejection patients who receive other immunosuppressants, may contribute to PRES.

Advances in imaging findings of preeclampsia-related reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.

Preeclampsia (PE)-related reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a common complication of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The syndrome usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and can lead to brain injury. Severe headache, seizures, disturbance of consciousness, and other neurological symptoms may occur in severe cases. PE-RPLS has high morbidity and mortality rates and seriously damages maternal and fetal health. In recent years, the continuous advancement of medical imaging technology has provided an important imaging basis for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of RPLS. This article mainly details the research status of the etiology and pathogenesis of PE-RPLS and describes its characteristic imaging findings, especially MRI findings, to provide new insights into its early diagnosis, early treatment, and improvement of prognosis.

Perfusion-Dependent Focal Neurologic Deficits in a Critically Ill Heart Transplant Recipient: A Case of Tacrolimus-Associated Reversible Cerebral Vasospasm Syndrome?

TACROLIMUS, a mainstay of immunosuppression after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), is associated with a broad range of side effects. Vasoconstriction caused by tacrolimus has been proposed as a mechanism underlying common side effects such as hypertension and renal injury. Neurologic side effects attributed to tacrolimus include headaches, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), or reversible cerebral vasospasm syndrome (RCVS). Six case reports have been published describing RCVS in the setting of tacrolimus administration after OHT. The authors report a case of perfusion-dependent focal neurologic deficits attributed to tacrolimus-induced RCVS in an OHT recipient.

Drugs associated with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, a worldwide signal detection study.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can occur in a variety of clinical conditions, such as severe hypertension, pregnancy, inflammatory diseases, hematopoietic stem cells or solid organ transplantation. Apart increased blood pressure levels and altered renal function, several drugs have been reported as potential triggering factor. These descriptions are nevertheless limited to case reports or small case series. Systematic analysis of drugs associated with PRES using global pharmacovigilance database is lacking and can be useful. METHODS: We performed a disproportionality analysis using VigiBase, the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database, using the information component (IC). The IC compares observed and expected values to find associations between drugs and PRES using disproportionate Bayesian reporting. An IC0.25 (lower end of the IC 95% credibility interval) > 0 is considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Here we present an analysis of 3278 cases of PRES reported in VigiBase. These results identified 73 molecules statistically associated with PRES using full database as background with an IC0.25 > 0. Only 34% (N = 25/73) of them had this information written in the summary of product characteristics. The main drug classes involved were antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents and the drugs with the greatest number of cases were tacrolimus, cyclosporin, bevacizumab, methotrexate, and vincristine. An overall mortality of 8.1% (N = 267/3278) was identified in cases of drug-associated PRES. CONCLUSION: These results will help clinicians identify potential suspected drugs associated with PRES and decide which drug to discontinue and eventually lead to a re-evaluation of drug labels for some molecules.

The Association of Hypertension With Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Systematic Review.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), also known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS), is a rare disorder that most commonly affects the posterior part of the brain. Two common causes of PRES are hypertension and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 recommendations and aimed at finding the association between hypertension and PRES in SLE patients. We searched medical databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Cochrane Library, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) for relevant medical literature. The identified papers were screened, subjected to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and ran through quality appraisal tools, after which 16 papers were finalized. The finalized papers explored the roles of hypertension in SLE patients diagnosed with PRES. In this review, we identified a link between hypertension and PRES-SLE patients. We aimed to explain the role of hypertension in the development of PRES in SLE patients. This study also explains the different treatment modalities to be used for treating the patients presenting with PRES and differentiates other neuropsychiatric illnesses commonly present in SLE patients from PRES. It's important to make an accurate clinical diagnosis by understanding the clinical features and neuroimaging results of PRES for future care since it may even be incurable in some circumstances.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with spinal cord involvement / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, imaging features and prognosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with spinal cord involvement (PRES-SCI).Methods:The clinical data of 1 patient with PRES-SCI admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in November 2021 were analyzed, and the data of 38 patients with PRES-SCI reported in domestic and foreign databases and this patient were collected for pooled analysis.Results:The main clinical manifestations of 39 PRES-SCI patients (including this patient) included headache (79.5%, 31/39), visual disturbance (79.5%, 31/39), vomiting (46.2%, 18/39), disturbance of consciousness (38.5%, 15/39), limb weakness (28.2%, 11/39) and seizure (23.1%, 9/39). There were up to 97.4% (38/39) of patients who had significantly elevated blood pressure. The imaging feature was long-segment spinal cord lesion involving central gray matter. Approximately 89.7% (35/39) of the spinal cord lesions originated from the junction of the medulla oblongata and the cervical spinal cord. The median number of abnormal spinal cord segments corresponding to the vertebral body was 9 (the shortest was 4 and the longest was the entire spinal cord). Thirty-eight patients had brain lesions, and the most frequently involved sites were medulla oblongata (82.1%, 32/39), occipital lobe (46.2%, 18/39), pons (43.6%, 17/39), parietal lobe (41.0%, 16/39), and cerebellum (38.5%, 15/39). Among 38 patients completing the follow-up, 31 patients (81.6%) were clinically recovered.Conclusions:Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome could involve the spinal cord. For patients with long-segment spinal cord lesions and significantly increased blood pressure or other risk factors, PRES-SCI should be considered. Timely identification and treatment could make most patients recovery.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following coronary angiography.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a relatively rare neurotoxic disorder. A 56-year-old male underwent elective coronary angiography. A Few hours postprocedure, the patient developed bilateral painless vision loss, headache, vomiting and hypertension and was subsequently diagnosed with PRES. Possible trigger factors could be contrast agent used, or hypertension. Contrast agent-induced PRES in hypertensive patients is benign and reversible, and a high-grade suspicion about this possibility is critical for precise management. Our patient was successfully treated with supportive management and was doing well on follow-up.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in the pediatric population: a pictorial essay.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare disease attributed to an increase in blood pressure that exceeds the autoregulatory capabilities of the cerebral vasculature, resulting in brain edema. Although PRES primarily affects adults, the pediatric population is also at risk. Radiologists must be aware of that risk because the imaging features on brain MRI are often atypical, especially in pediatric patients. Over a 6-year period, nine pediatric patients were diagnosed with PRES at our institution. Here, those patients are evaluated retrospectively regarding demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, imaging aspects, and outcomes. In this pictorial essay, we review the typical and atypical imaging findings of PRES in pediatric patients, demonstrating that it should be considered in patients with a clinical profile suggestive of the diagnosis, given that prompt, effective treatment is important for full recovery, thus avoiding major morbidity and mortality in such patients.

A síndrome de encefalopatia posterior reversível (PRES) é uma doença rara relacionada com uma falha no mecanismo autorregulatório vascular, resultando em edema cerebral. Apesar de primariamente descrita em adultos, a população pediátrica encontra-se em igual risco de desenvolver esta condição e o radiologista deve estar atento porque frequentemente a ressonância magnética apresenta características de imagem atípicas. Em um período de seis anos, nove pacientes pediátricos com o diagnóstico de PRES foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, no que diz respeito a sua demografia, antecedentes médicos, características de imagem e prognóstico. Neste ensaio analisamos características de imagem típicas e atípicas de pacientes pediátricos com o diagnóstico de PRES, mostrando que este diagnóstico deve ser considerado quando está presente um quadro clínico adequado, uma vez que o tratamento rápido e eficaz é importante para a recuperação completa, evitando morbimortalidade maior neste grupo etário.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in the pediatric population: a pictorial essay / Síndrome de encefalopatia posterior reversível na população pediátrica: uma revisão de imagens

Abstract Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare disease attributed to an increase in blood pressure that exceeds the autoregulatory capabilities of the cerebral vasculature, resulting in brain edema. Although PRES primarily affects adults, the pediatric population is also at risk. Radiologists must be aware of that risk because the imaging features on brain MRI are often atypical, especially in pediatric patients. Over a 6-year period, nine pediatric patients were diagnosed with PRES at our institution. Here, those patients are evaluated retrospectively regarding demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, imaging aspects, and outcomes. In this pictorial essay, we review the typical and atypical imaging findings of PRES in pediatric patients, demonstrating that it should be considered in patients with a clinical profile suggestive of the diagnosis, given that prompt, effective treatment is important for full recovery, thus avoiding major morbidity and mortality in such patients.

Resumo A síndrome de encefalopatia posterior reversível (PRES) é uma doença rara relacionada com uma falha no mecanismo autorregulatório vascular, resultando em edema cerebral. Apesar de primariamente descrita em adultos, a população pediátrica encontra-se em igual risco de desenvolver esta condição e o radiologista deve estar atento porque frequentemente a ressonância magnética apresenta características de imagem atípicas. Em um período de seis anos, nove pacientes pediátricos com o diagnóstico de PRES foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, no que diz respeito a sua demografia, antecedentes médicos, características de imagem e prognóstico. Neste ensaio analisamos características de imagem típicas e atípicas de pacientes pediátricos com o diagnóstico de PRES, mostrando que este diagnóstico deve ser considerado quando está presente um quadro clínico adequado, uma vez que o tratamento rápido e eficaz é importante para a recuperação completa, evitando morbimortalidade maior neste grupo etário.

Central Variant Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Pregnant Woman With Eclampsia: A Case Report.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiological diagnosis characterized by acute or subacute neurological symptoms. A 27-year-old woman at 35 weeks of pregnancy, who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures had persistently low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score after delivery of the baby. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain showed T-2 Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities in the brainstem, bilateral medial cerebellar hemispheres, bilateral medial temporal lobes, bilateral thalami, lentiform and caudate nuclei, and bilateral fronto-parieto-occipital lobes. There was diffusion restriction in bilateral caudate nuclei, left thalamus and right frontal lobe, and microhemorrhages in the left thalamus. These findings were suggestive of central variant PRES. She improved with strict blood pressure control and anti-edema measures. A repeat MRI brain on day 10 showed significant improvement, and she had no residual neurological deficits. The central variant of PRES is a rare entity that has to be considered in a patient presenting with neurological deficits in the setting of uncontrolled blood pressure, eclampsia, immunomodulatory medication use, or renal failure. While most patients with PRES fully recover with timely therapy targeted at reversing the primary cause, some may have residual neurological deficits or rarely, die.

Risk of Stroke After Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can cause short-term cerebrovascular complications, such as brain infarction and hemorrhage. We hypothesized that PRES is also associated with an increased long-term risk of stroke. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in the United States using statewide all-payer claims data from 2016 to 2018 on all admissions to nonfederal hospitals in 11 states. Adults with PRES were compared with adults with renal colic (negative control) and transient ischemic attack (TIA; positive control). Any stroke and the secondary outcomes of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were ascertained using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We excluded prevalent stroke. We used time-to-event statistics to calculate incidence rates and Cox proportional hazards analyses to evaluate the association between PRES and stroke, adjusting for demographics and stroke risk factors. In a sensitivity analysis, outcomes within 2 weeks of index admission were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 1606 patients with PRES, 1192 with renal colic, and 38 216 with TIA. Patients with PRES had a mean age of 56±17 years; 72% were women. Over a median follow-up of 0.9 years, the stroke incidence per 100 person-years was 6.1 (95% CI, 5.0-7.4) after PRES, 1.0 (95% CI, 0.62-1.8) after renal colic, and 9.7 (95% CI, 9.4-10.0) after TIA. After statistical adjustment for patient characteristics and risk factors, patients with PRES had an elevated risk of stroke compared with renal colic (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3 [95% CI, 1.7-3.0]), but lower risk than patients with TIA (HR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.54-0.82]). In secondary analyses, compared with TIA, PRES was associated with hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.4-2.9]). PRES was associated with ischemic stroke when compared with renal colic (HR, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.4-2.7]) but not when compared with TIA (HR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.38-0.63]). Results were similar with 2-week washout. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PRES had an elevated risk of incident stroke.