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Generalised reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a variant of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
Julia Kunzmann1, Hubert Wolf1, Stefan Oberndorfer1
1Department of Neurology, University Clinic St Pölten, KLI-Neurology and Neuropsychology, St Poelten, Austria.
Abstract:
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological syndrome characterised by headache, visual disturbance, seizures and altered consciousness. Radiological findings show hyperintense T2-lesions on MRI, predominantly located in the subcortical white matter of the posterior occipital and parietal lobes. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia who developed severe neurological signs and symptoms. MRI of the brain showed atypical generalised hyperintense lesions on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. Under symptomatic treatment, the radiological changes as well as neurological signs and symptoms improved. Several potential risk factors for PRES, such as hypertensive crisis, blood transfusions, infection and cancer, were identified in our patient, whereby perhaps the coexistence of these risk factors led to the unusual radiological and clinical manifestation of a generalised PRES variant.
Insights
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can present atypically. This case highlights a generalized PRES variant in a gastric cancer patient, emphasizing the role of coexisting risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological condition characterized by specific clinical and radiological findings.
- Typical PRES involves T2-hyperintense lesions in the posterior brain regions on MRI.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old woman with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma presented with severe neurological symptoms.
- Brain MRI revealed atypical, generalized T2 and FLAIR hyperintense lesions, differing from typical PRES patterns.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited neurological signs and radiological changes consistent with a generalized PRES variant.
- Improvement in both clinical symptoms and MRI findings was observed following symptomatic treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diverse presentations of PRES, particularly in the context of multiple risk factors.
- Coexisting conditions like cancer, hypertensive crisis, and infection may contribute to unusual PRES manifestations, necessitating comprehensive patient assessment.
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