A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (P.R.E.S.)

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a proposed cliniconeuroradiological entity characterized by several symptoms of different aetiologies. The most important symptoms are headache, confusion, seizures, cortical visual disturbances or blindness, etc. There are three theories for PRES. The aetiology of PRES in this patient remains unclear but it may be related to a pharmacotoxic cause (abuse of drugs) because symptoms including altered mental function, visual loss, stupor and seizures are specific of acute encephalopathy based on treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. The syndrome should be promptly recognized, since it is reversible and readily treated by controlling blood pressure and, based on our experience, decreasing the dose of NSAIDs and eliminating the use of drugs, such as those used by our patient. Keywords: multifactorial syndrome | encephalopathy | pharmacotoxic cause | headache | drugs
Introduction Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a proposed cliniconeuroradiological entity characterized by several symptoms of different aetiologies (2, 3). The most important symptoms are headache, confusion, seizures, cortical visual disturbances [...]