ACUTE HYDROCEPHALUS AND POSTERIOR REVERSIBLE ENCEPHALOPATHY SYNDROME (PRES) IN POSTPARTUM PERIOD: AN UNEXPECTED NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATION

Abstract

Hydrocephalus and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) are under-diagnosed conditions in peri-partum period. As eclampsia mimics these conditions and it can mislead the clinician to an incorrect diagnosis causing potential morbidity and mortality. A case of a 35 year old pregnant woman with seizures presented that was initially diagnosed as eclampsia but failure to regain consciousness post-delivery led to a multidisciplinary team formation and further investigation through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that finally revealed communicating hydrocephalous and PRES. Prompt management was initiated by placing a Ventriculo-Peritoneal (VP) shunt resulting in full neurological recovery afterwards. As per author’s knowledge there has not been a similar case reported as yet.

Keywords

• posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
• pres
• hydrocephalus
• ventriculoperitoneal shunt
• eclampsia