Case report: A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy in postpartum preeclampsia

Abstract

Rationale: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by headache, convulsions, altered consciousness, and visual disturbance with specific radiological features, which is characterized by contrast enhancement in the occipital lobe on T2-weighted image. We report a case of sudden visual impairment of both eyes 6 days after childbirth diagnosed as postpartum preeclampsia and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) through radiological examination.

Patient concerns: A 31-year-old female patient with headache and visual disturbance visited the clinic.

Diagnosis: Visual acuity was light perception in the right eye and hand motion in the left eye; pupillary light reflections of both eyes were normal. In the field of view test, the waveform was not observed in the defect pattern visual field power test, and the amplitude was greatly reduced in the visual field test. 1+ proteinuria was observed on urine test and magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast enhancement under both parietal and occipital cortex.

Interventions: Hospitalization was done for blood pressure control and examination of related disease under suspicion of PRES caused by postpartum preeclampsia.

Outcomes: Four weeks after diagnosis, vision and visual field defects recovered to normal, and the previously observed lesion on magnetic resonance imaging completely improved 3 months after the initial visit, and it was diagnosed as PRES.

Lessons: PRES in postpartum preeclampsia can cause rapid vision and symptoms, visual field loss, and accurate follow-up diagnosis with relevant imaging and clinical patterns can improve vision.