Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

ABSTRACT

PRES stands for Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome. It is a proposed clinoneuroradiological entity that is characterized by headache, altered mental status, cortical blindness, seizure and other focal neurological signs and diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging picture. A variety of different etiologies have been reported like hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, cyclosporine (and tacrolimus) neurotoxicity, uremia, sepsis, porphyria, SLE and interferon therapy. With early diagnosis and treatment the syndrome is usually fully reversible. A case of reversible encephalopathy is reported here in a 7-day postpartum female patient with marked elevation of blood pressure. Clinician and radiologist must be familiar with this clinically frightening, under diagnosed condition to assure timely diagnosis and treatment so as to prevent persistent defect.