Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case study.
A young woman 4 days postpartum was admitted after experiencing two seizures. Her mentation waxed and waned until, after several hours, staff were unable to arouse her with voice or touch. A computed tomography scan demonstrated considerable white-matter edema. The patient's condition declined to a coma. She remained comatose despite therapeutic interventions to control increased intracranial pressure. To her family, her condition was a source of anguish. To the physicians and nurses, she was a puzzle. The final diagnosis was posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, which was related to a preeclamptic condition and its associated hypertension. The collaboration of obstetricians and neurologists with vigilant care by neuroscience nurses resulted in a positive outcome for this challenging patient.
Fitzgerald-Hines
Jane
J
Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA. jane.fitzgerald-hines@chw.edu
King
Mary L
ML
D000328:Adult; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy