Asian Journal of Internal Medicine (Aug 2023)

Posterior reversible encephalopathysyndrome as the first presentation of aconnective tissue disorder: A case report

  • W. L. M. Soysa,
  • F. G. Sivagnanam

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4038/ajim.v2i2.91
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2

Abstract

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Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological diagnosis. Although hypertensionis the main cause of this condition several secondary causes have been identified. Here we discuss a 53-year-oldwoman with a history of hypertension who presented with sudden onset of headache, seizures, and bilateralcortical blindness. MRI was suggestive of PRES. She had minimal blood pressure fluctuations. Antinuclearantibodies were significantly positive and a history of symmetrical polyarthritis was revealed. As the criteria for aparticular connective tissue disorder were not fulfilled, the diagnosis of an undifferentiated connective tissuedisease was made. In the presence of classical symptoms and imaging, PRES should be suspected even amongstpatients without blood pressure fluctuations. Secondary causes should be identified and corrected in suchpatients.

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