title: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: the importance of early diagnosis.
abstract: A 14-year-old boy was submitted to cardiac transplant due to a dilated cardiomyopathy. On the fourth day of immunosuppression (corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus), he developed right focal seizures and drowsiness. Blood pressure was in the normal range and laboratory findings in cerebral spinal fluid and blood were unremarkable, with drugs in non-toxic levels. The EEG showed a slow background rhythm more pronounced on the right and a seizure onset in the right occipital region. MRI revealed a diffuse hyperintense subcortical white-matter lesion on fluid attenuated inversion recovery, with lesser involvement of left temporal-occipital region. There was no enhancement with gadolinium and MRI diffusion-weighted imaging was consistent with vasogenic oedema. Tacrolimus was stopped with regression of MRI abnormalities and clinical recovery. Posterior reversible encephalopathy associated with tacrolimus is a rare but potentially serious complication of solid organ transplants. A prompt diagnosis and correct treatment is essential to avoid irreversible brain damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. rute.teotonio@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rute
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teotónio
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marmoto
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Januário
authors.forename: Conceição
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bento
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed