Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in an 87-year-old woman with Escherichia coli bloodstream infection.
We present the case of an 87-year-old woman with history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic heart diseases, urinary tract infections, and cerebrovascular disease who experienced a transient clinical picture characterized by confusion, lethargy, and acute renal dysfunction in the course of urinary tract infection with Escherichia coli bacteremia. Escherichia coli bloodstream infection was associated with brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in which the lesion distribution was consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Diagnosis of PRES was confirmed by demonstration of vasogenic edema on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and near-complete resolution of clinical manifestations at discharge.
Fabbian
Fabio
F
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, St. Anna, Ferrara 44100, Italy. f.fabbian@ospfe.it
Pala
Marco
M
Fallica
Elisa
E
Capone
Jay
J
Monetti
Vincenza Cinzia
VC
Fratti
Daniela
D
Fainardi
Enrico
E
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D053609:Lethargy / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications