Lysergic acid amide-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with status epilepticus.
BACKGROUND
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is known to occur in association with several substances. However, lysergic acid amide (LSA) is not among the previously reported causes of PRES.


METHODS
We report on a patient with PRES presenting as convulsive status epilepticus associated with hypertensive encephalopathy after LSA ingestion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and catecholamine metabolites assayed.


RESULTS
The patient achieved a full recovery after aggressive antihypertensive therapy and intravenous anticonvulsivant therapy. The clinical history, blood and urinary catecholamine levels, and response to treatment strongly suggest that PRES was induced by LSA.


CONCLUSIONS
LSA, a hallucinogenic agent chiefly used for recreational purposes, should be added to the list of causes of PRES.
Legriel
Stephane
S
Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, Hôpital André Mignot, 78157, Le Chesnay, France. stlegriel@invivo.edu
Bruneel
Fabrice
F
Spreux-Varoquaux
Odile
O
Birenbaum
Aurelie
A
Chadenat
Marie Laure
ML
Mignon
François
F
Abbosh
Nathalie
N
Henry-Lagarrigue
Matthieu
M
Revault D'Allonnes
Laure
L
Guezennec
Pierre
P
Troche
Gilles
G
Bedos
Jean Pierre
JP
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006213:Hallucinogens; C016543:lysergamide; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide