Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neuroradiological condition causing headaches, altered mental status, seizures, visual disturbances, and focal deficits. It is often associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnancy, but can also occur in patients with other medica...

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Main Authors: Shailendra Katwal, MD, Aastha Ghimire, MBBS, Amrit Bhusal, MBBS, Abhisek Bajracharya, MBBS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-12-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043323007045
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author Shailendra Katwal, MD
Aastha Ghimire, MBBS
Amrit Bhusal, MBBS
Abhisek Bajracharya, MBBS
author_facet Shailendra Katwal, MD
Aastha Ghimire, MBBS
Amrit Bhusal, MBBS
Abhisek Bajracharya, MBBS
author_sort Shailendra Katwal, MD
collection DOAJ
description Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neuroradiological condition causing headaches, altered mental status, seizures, visual disturbances, and focal deficits. It is often associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnancy, but can also occur in patients with other medical conditions, such as hypertension, autoimmune diseases, renal dysfunction etc. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing PRES in postpartum patients with hypertension and the need for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent potential complications. A 30-year-old woman with gestational hypertension underwent scheduled induction of labor. After a successful delivery, she experienced a sudden headache but no other neurological symptoms. Imaging showed bilateral frontoparietal white matter edema, consistent with PRES. She was closely monitored, treated with analgesics, and improved within a week. The case highlights the rarity of PRES in postpartum patients without preeclampsia or eclampsia. It underscores the importance of considering PRES as a possible diagnosis in postpartum patients with hypertension, even in the absence of typical risk factors. Prompt control of blood pressure and careful monitoring are essential to ensure a positive outcome, as PRES can lead to life-threatening complications if not managed appropriately. The study highlights the importance of heightened awareness of PRES in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension. Early detection and timely management can improve prognosis, even in atypical cases. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in assessing hypertension patients to diagnose and manage PRES, preventing neurological sequelae. Further research is needed to better understand PRES pathophysiology and risk factors in postpartum patients.
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spelling doaj.art-9db5c5d38b524d0686e11a3a5cb9bb642023-10-22T04:48:54ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332023-12-01181245644568Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and managementShailendra Katwal, MD0Aastha Ghimire, MBBS1Amrit Bhusal, MBBS2Abhisek Bajracharya, MBBS3Department of Radiology, Dadeldhura Subregional Hospital, Dadeldhura, NepalOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal; Corresponding author.BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Koshi Province, NepalNepal Medical College, Kathmandu, Bagmati, NepalPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neuroradiological condition causing headaches, altered mental status, seizures, visual disturbances, and focal deficits. It is often associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnancy, but can also occur in patients with other medical conditions, such as hypertension, autoimmune diseases, renal dysfunction etc. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing PRES in postpartum patients with hypertension and the need for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent potential complications. A 30-year-old woman with gestational hypertension underwent scheduled induction of labor. After a successful delivery, she experienced a sudden headache but no other neurological symptoms. Imaging showed bilateral frontoparietal white matter edema, consistent with PRES. She was closely monitored, treated with analgesics, and improved within a week. The case highlights the rarity of PRES in postpartum patients without preeclampsia or eclampsia. It underscores the importance of considering PRES as a possible diagnosis in postpartum patients with hypertension, even in the absence of typical risk factors. Prompt control of blood pressure and careful monitoring are essential to ensure a positive outcome, as PRES can lead to life-threatening complications if not managed appropriately. The study highlights the importance of heightened awareness of PRES in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension. Early detection and timely management can improve prognosis, even in atypical cases. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in assessing hypertension patients to diagnose and manage PRES, preventing neurological sequelae. Further research is needed to better understand PRES pathophysiology and risk factors in postpartum patients.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043323007045Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndromePostpartumWhite matter edemaHeadacheCase report
spellingShingle Shailendra Katwal, MD
Aastha Ghimire, MBBS
Amrit Bhusal, MBBS
Abhisek Bajracharya, MBBS
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
Radiology Case Reports
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Postpartum
White matter edema
Headache
Case report
title Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
title_full Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
title_fullStr Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
title_full_unstemmed Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
title_short Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension: A case report emphasizing early recognition and management
title_sort posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum patients with gestational hypertension a case report emphasizing early recognition and management
topic Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Postpartum
White matter edema
Headache
Case report
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043323007045
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