title: Partial status epilepticus related to independent occipital foci in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).
abstract: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute disorder characterised by a variable association of neurologic symptoms with potentially reversible oedematous abnormalities mainly in the parieto-occipital regions of the brain. Despite the significant incidence of seizures, the EEG characteristics of epileptic disorders related to PRES have rarely been investigated. We report the case of an 85-year-old man who presented with generalised tonic-clonic seizures and prolonged disturbances of consciousness as clinical manifestations of PRES due to moderate exacerbation of chronic hypertension. An EEG performed during an alteration of mental function displayed a pattern of partial status epilepticus (SE) in both temporo-parieto-occipital regions. The seizure activity originated from two independent epileptic foci located in the occipital area of each hemisphere and could be related to the parenchymal abnormalities of PRES. The EEG pattern of partial SE related to independent occipital foci illustrates a distinctive seizure disorder that could be characteristic of PRES in adult patients.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Neurology, San Francesco Hospital, Via Mannironi, 08100, Nuoro, Italy. rosario.rossi@aslnuoro.it
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Maria Valeria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Saddi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ticca
authors.forename: Salvatore Bruno
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Murgia
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology