Case Study: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) in a Stroke Patient with Seizures

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a condition in which patients present with visual disturbances, headaches, seizures, and impaired consciousness. It can affect a wide variety of patients ranging from infants to elderly, but young and middle aged adults are most commonly affected; females are more likely to be affected by PRES than males. Risk factors such as hypertension, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, renal failure, cytotoxic conditions and autoimmune conditions predispose patients to PRES. In this unique case, a 63 female patient was admitted to Jefferson Washington Hospital exhibiting classic stroke like symptoms. Patient also began seizing in the ED which was unusual for a stroke. Upon further imaging and neurology consultation, an MRI showed abnormal intensities in the parietal and occipital lobes demonstrating patterns of PRES. The hospital team began promptly treating her and within 10 days, the patient returned to baseline