Phenylephrine Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome during Resection of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Abstract

Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological complication caused by cerebral hyperperfusion. Case Report A 46-year-old male presented with decreased mental status, left facial palsy, and left-sided weakness after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for a solitary pulmonary nodule. During the surgery, phenylephrine was infused intravenously for general anesthesia-induced hypotension. High signal intensity at the right parietooccipital lobe was noted on fluid-attenuated inversion recovering imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging. His neurological symptoms improved two days after initial presentation. Follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging showed resolution of the brain lesions 10 days after the surgery. Conclusions We report a patient who presented with PRES after administration of phenylephrine during resection of a solitary pulmonary nodule. PRES should be considered for patients presented with acute neurologic symptoms following surgical procedures.

Keywords

• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
• Phenylephrine
• Hypertension