Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in setting of postobstructive diuresis and persistent hypocalcemia

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiographic entity of heterogenous etiologies, which are grouped together because of similar findings on neuroimaging studies, associated with similar symptom complex of headache, vision loss, altered mentation, and seizures. In this report, we describe a case of PRES in setting of postobstructive diuresis in a 5-year-old male child, whose solitary functioning kidney was obstructed by a 1.6-cm radio-opaque stone, who after percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) diversion developed persistent hypocalcemia which persisted despite maximum replacement by iv calcium gluconate drip, and the child developed repeated generalized tonic clonic convulsions and became unconscious for 4 days. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed typical hypodensities in bilateral occipitoparietal regions suggesting PRES. Ultimately, over a period of 4 days, his hypocalcemia could be corrected and the child was neurologically normal on the 5th day. CT scan of the brain after a month was free of any hypodensities.