title: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in 46 of 47 patients with eclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate the concurrence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with eclampsia and to describe the obstetric, radiological, and critical care correlates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-center, 2001-2010 retrospective cohort study of all patients with eclampsia who underwent neuroimaging via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) with or without contrast.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six of 47 of eclamptic patients (97.9%) revealed PRES on neuroimaging using 1 or more modalities: MRI without contrast, 41 (87.2%); MRI with contrast, 27 (57.4%); CT without contrast, 16 (34%); CT with contrast, 7 (14.8%); and/or magnetic resonance angiography/magnetic resonance venography, 2 (4.3%). PRES was identified within the parietal, occipital, frontal, temporal, and basal ganglia/brainstem/cerebellum areas of the brain. Eclampsia occurred antepartum in 23 patients and postpartum in 24 patients. Headache was the most common presenting symptom (87.2%) followed by altered mental status (51.1%), visual disturbances (34%), and nausea/vomiting (19.1%). Severe systolic hypertension was present in 22 patients (47%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The common finding of PRES in patients with eclampsia suggests that PRES is a core component of the pathogenesis of eclampsia. Therapy targeted at prevention or reversal of PRES pathogenesis may prevent or facilitate recovery from eclampsia.
authors: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Brewer
authors: Michelle Y
authors: MY
authors: Owens
authors: Kedra
authors: K
authors: Wallace
authors: Amanda A
authors: AA
authors: Reeves
authors: Rachael
authors: R
authors: Morris
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Khan
authors: Babbette
authors: B
authors: LaMarca
authors: James N
authors: JN
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult