Abstract

DOMINGUEZ-FUENTES, B. et al. Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy in a patient with postpartum eclampsia. Med. Intensiva [online]. 2008, vol.32, n.7, pp.361-363. ISSN 0210-5691.

We report the clinical-radiological case of a 25 year-old female patient who developed reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) in the postpartum period, without evidence of preeclampsia-eclampsia or chronic arterial hypertension. RPLS is associated with diverse clinical entities including eclampsia. Ten days after giving birth, the patient presented with clinical symptoms of headache, elevated blood pressure and seizures. Reversible vasogenic oedema affecting the white matter in the posterior regions was the characteristic finding in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Although the prognosis is favourable, treatment needs to be early and aggressive, with rapid control of the convulsions and arterial hypertension, with the aim of preventing ischemia and cerebral infarct from developing. There is a need to be highly alert and to consider the diagnosis of RPLS in women presenting with convulsions and other neurological symptoms in postpartum.

Keywords : reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; eclampsia; pregnancy complications; hypertensive encephalopathy; magnetic resonance imaging.

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