Cerebral hypometabolism in a pediatric patient with clinically resolved posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

Abstract

A 4-year-old boy with Nuclear factor-kappa B Essential Modulator deficiency syndrome presented with encephalopathy post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. MRI demonstrated T2/FLAIR-hyperintensities in the posterior cerebral cortex concerning for posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Clinical improvement was appreciated following withdrawal of the suspected offending pharmacological agent (Cyclosporine). An 18F-FDG PET/CT performed 2 months later to screen for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease demonstrated markedly reduced FDG uptake in the posterior cerebral cortex, involving the parietal and occipital lobes. We describe, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of profound cerebral hypometabolism in a child with clinically resolved posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Keywords

• FDG PET/CT
• Pediatric
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome