Issue: 2007 > July/August > letter to the editor

Seizures and loss of vision in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus



LETTER TO THE EDITOR
, , , Z. Alanoğlu, , M. Oral, M. Tulunay
AbstractPDF

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
is a rare neurological condition identifiable by clinical
presentation and MRI appearance.1 Patients present with
headache, seizures, loss of vision and altered mental
function. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is poorly
understood. One hypothesis is that cerebral vasospasm
results in cerebral ischaemia and subsequent development of T2 hyperintensity, and the other is a temporary failure of the autoregulatory capabilities of the cerebral vessels, leading to hyperperfusion, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and consequent vasogenic oedema. It is believed that a rapid rise in blood pressure overcomes cerebral autoregulatory
mechanisms with abrupt dilatation of cerebral arterioles.
We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and PRES after recurrent spontaneous abortion.