A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in the setting of post-partum preeclampsia with suppressed plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity

• Main Authors: Aurelio Negro, Rosaria Santi, Chiara Grasselli, Simona Davoli, Franco Perazzoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2013-12-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Medicine
• Subjects: preeclampsia, reversible encephalopathy, hypertension, magnetic nuclear resonance, aldosterone, plasma renin activity.
• Online Access: http://www.italjmed.org/index.php/ijm/article/view/80
• ISSN: 1877-9344; 1877-9352

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by headache, altered mental status, visual loss, and seizures. PRES is associated with neuroradiological findings: white matter abnormalities, predominantly in the parieto-occipital regions of the brain. PRES has been described in association with hypertensive encephalopathy, eclampsia, renal failure, or following immunosuppressive or anticancer therapy. We report a case of PRES in a severe preeclampsia occurring in the late postpartum period, with suppressed plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity. These laboratory abnormalities may be due to an apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome.