Hypertensive encephalopathy presenting with thunderclap headache.
A 68-year-old woman presented with thunderclap headache, which led to a search for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both computerized tomography of the head and cerebrospinal fluid examination were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities in the white matter in the parieto-occipital regions. There was no aneurysm on magnetic resonance angiography. Treatment of hypertension led to resolution of the posterior leukoencephalopathy. Hypertensive encephalopathy with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy can present as a thunderclap headache.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
D F
DF
Tang-Wai
T G
TG
Phan
E F
EF
Wijdicks
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography