[Neurologic manifestations in the vertebro-basilar system revealing pregnancy toxemia]

We report a case with focal neurological deficits suggesting vertebro-basilar system ischemia, in the course of pre-eclampsia. An early CT scan showed a large hypodensity throughout the midbrain. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials initially showed an abolition of III and V pikes suggesting brainstem injury. Two days later both neurological examination and brain stem auditory evoked potentials returned to normal. A CT scan performed three weeks after the onset was normal. These findings suggest a vasospasm which may have been due to sympathomimetic agents given two weeks before the onset of toxemia for preterm labor.