title: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in pregnancy: a case report.
abstract: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), is an acute, neurotoxic state. It is a very rare clinico-neuroradiological entity, and it is a complication of multiple clinical conditions. The association of PRES with toxemia in pregnancy is established. In this article, the authors discuss the case of a 22-year-old woman, gravida 1, 36-week pregnant, with extensive, bilateral white matter hypodensity, predominantly involving the parieto-occipital lobes region. These changes were highly suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy. This case report demonstrates that early treatment with control of blood pressure seizures can reverse this condition and also prevent progression to an irreversible damage, thus emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy. felice.patacchiola@libero.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patacchiola
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Febbo
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carta
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carta
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult