BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a well-recognized clinico-neuroradiological transient condition. Early recognition is of paramount importance for prompt control of blood pressure or removal of precipitating factors and treatment of epileptic seizures or status epilepticus. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment may in fact results in death or in irreversible neurological sequelae. DISCUSSION: PRES is characterized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances and is associated with a number of different causes, most commonly acute hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and immunosuppressive agents. Clinical symptoms and neuroradiological findings are typically indistinguishable among the cases of PRES, regardless of underlying cause. Magnetic resonance studies typically show edema involving the white matter of cerebral posterior regions, especially parieto-occipital lobes but frontal and temporal lobes, and other encephalic structures may be involved. CONCLUSIONS: Intensivists and other physicians involved in the evaluation of patients with presumed PRES must be aware of the clinical spectrum of the associated conditions, the diagnostic modalities, and the correct treatment.
BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a well-recognized clinico-neuroradiological transient condition. Early recognition is of paramount importance for prompt control of blood pressure or removal of precipitating factors and treatment of epilepticseizures or status epilepticus. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment may in fact results in death or in irreversible neurological sequelae. DISCUSSION: PRES is characterized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances and is associated with a number of different causes, most commonly acute hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and immunosuppressive agents. Clinical symptoms and neuroradiological findings are typically indistinguishable among the cases of PRES, regardless of underlying cause. Magnetic resonance studies typically show edema involving the white matter of cerebral posterior regions, especially parieto-occipital lobes but frontal and temporal lobes, and other encephalic structures may be involved. CONCLUSIONS: Intensivists and other physicians involved in the evaluation of patients with presumed PRES must be aware of the clinical spectrum of the associated conditions, the diagnostic modalities, and the correct treatment.
Authors: Peter Andrews; Elie Azoulay; Massimo Antonelli; Laurent Brochard; Christian Brun-Buisson; Geoffrey Dobb; Jean-Yves Fagon; Herwig Gerlach; Johan Groeneveld; Jordi Mancebo; Philipp Metnitz; Stefano Nava; Jerome Pugin; Michael Pinsky; Peter Radermacher; Christian Richard; Robert Tasker; Benoit Vallet Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2005-02-18 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Boby V Maramattom; Renzo A Zaldivar; Simon M Glynn; Scott D Eggers; Eelco F M Wijdicks Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: Douglas Altman; Guillermo Carroli; Lelia Duley; Barbara Farrell; Jack Moodley; James Neilson; David Smith Journal: Lancet Date: 2002-06-01 Impact factor: 79.321