Publication:

Clinico-radiological spectrum of obstetric patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a tertiary care hospital

Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder that is not uncommon in pregnancy induced hypertension. We have studied the clinico radiological profile of such patients to understand history, symptomatology and neuro imaging findings of this entity.

Methods The present study included 20 patients of PRES among the inpatients of a tertiary care hospital in south India from January to March 2020.

Results Mean age 25.0 years. Most common symptoms included seizures and headache followed by vomiting, visual disturbances.9 patients (45%) had parieto-occipital signal changes on neuro imaging. Magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) (n=20) revealed involvement of atypical sites viz. frontal (30%), temporal (20%), cerebellum (20%), basal ganglia (20%), deep white matter (30%) and brainstem (10%).Diffusion restriction was seen in 40% patients.

Conclusions Atypical MRI presentations of PRES are common and there is a need to consider a strong possibility for the diagnosis of PRES.