Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
08:47
The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia
Published on: November 19, 2008
36.4K
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Presenting as Stroke Mimic
Daniel Frick1, Martin Huecker1, Hugh Shoff1
1University of Louisville School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.
Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
|June 1, 2018
Summary
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can mimic stroke in end-stage renal disease patients presenting with neurological symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment lead to full recovery, highlighting PRES as an under-recognized emergency department diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nephrology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a complex condition often associated with neurological complications.
- Patients with ESRD presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute neurological deficits require careful evaluation to differentiate various etiologies.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old male with ESRD presented to the ED with headache, dizziness, and unilateral weakness, initially raising concern for stroke.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed findings consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).
Findings:
- PRES was confirmed as the diagnosis in this ESRD patient with stroke-like symptoms.
- The patient received appropriate treatment for PRES and achieved a complete neurologic recovery.
Implications:
- PRES is an under-recognized condition in the ED that can be mistaken for stroke.
- Misdiagnosis of PRES as stroke may lead to inappropriate diagnostic pathways and potential iatrogenic harm.
- Increased awareness of PRES in ESRD patients is crucial for timely and accurate diagnosis and management.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Reversible and Irreversible Processes
5.8K
The thermodynamic processes can be classified into reversible and irreversible processes. The processes that can be restored to their initial state are called reversible processes. It is only possible if the process is in quasi-static equilibrium, i.e., it takes place in infinitesimally small steps, and the system remains at equilibrium However, these are ideal processes and do not occur naturally. An ideal system undergoing a reversible process is always in thermodynamic equilibrium within...
5.8K
01:14Diode: Reverse bias
2.0K
A diode is reverse-biased when the positive terminal of an external voltage source is connected to the n-type material and the negative terminal to the p-type material. This configuration opposes the natural direction of current flow through the diode, effectively increasing the width of the depletion region and the barrier potential. The reverse bias condition produces a minimal leakage current, primarily due to minority charge carriers. This leakage becomes significant when the reverse...
2.0K
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
5.2K
The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
5.2K
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
672
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
672
01:27Regulation of Stroke Volume
5.2K
The regulation of stroke volume, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out during each heartbeat, is critical for maintaining a healthy circulatory system. Stroke volume is influenced by three main factors: preload, contractility, and afterload.
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
5.2K
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
1.1K
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
1.1K