Clinical characteristics and nursing care of patients with peripartum reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the clinical and nursing care of peripartum reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS).Methods Thirty five cases with peripartum RPLS were retrospectively reviewed.Results All patients developed acutely,22.9％ in the antepartum period and 77.1％ in the postpartum period.The major clinical characteristics were headache (65.7％),seizures(62.9％),visual disturbances (54.3％),altered mental status (22.9％).The most common abnormality on neuro-imaging was edema predominantly involving the cortex and subcortical white matter in the posterior portions of the cerebral hemispheres,including the occipital lobes (77.1％),parietal lobes (65.7％),temporal lobes (28.6％) and frontal lobe (20.0％).MR diffusion-weighted imaging and ADC mapping revealed vasogenic edema.The treatments included aggressive blood pressure control and anticonvulsants with special nursing care.The clinical symptoms and the lesions on neuroimaging improved or resolved within 1 day to 2 months.Conclusions The prognosis for peripartum RPLS is ensured as long as the diagnosis is made properly and reasonable application of care program.