Dialysis disequilibrium: another reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome?
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome is a disorder of the central nervous system in patients on dialysis. The underlying etiology is thought to be primarily due to cerebral edema; however, neuroradiologic findings have not been described previously. We describe a patient who presented with new onset headaches and status epilepticus after beginning hemodialysis. Her neuroimaging studies revealed white matter changes in the posterior parietal and occipital lobes similar to those seen in patients with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). This case suggests that dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and RPLS may represent a spectrum of disorders in which the underlying mechanism is vasogenic edema.
Sheth
Kevin N
KN
Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Stroke Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3W Gates Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. kasner@mail.med.upenn.edu
Wu
Gregory F
GF
Messé
Steven R
SR
Wolf
Ronald L
RL
Kasner
Scott E
SE
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D004856:Postural Balance; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome