Partial status epilepticus related to independent occipital foci in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)

Neurol Sci. 2008 Dec;29(6):455-8. doi: 10.1007/s10072-008-1059-2. Epub 2008 Dec 6.

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute disorder characterised by a variable association of neurologic symptoms with potentially reversible oedematous abnormalities mainly in the parieto-occipital regions of the brain. Despite the significant incidence of seizures, the EEG characteristics of epileptic disorders related to PRES have rarely been investigated. We report the case of an 85-year-old man who presented with generalised tonic-clonic seizures and prolonged disturbances of consciousness as clinical manifestations of PRES due to moderate exacerbation of chronic hypertension. An EEG performed during an alteration of mental function displayed a pattern of partial status epilepticus (SE) in both temporo-parieto-occipital regions. The seizure activity originated from two independent epileptic foci located in the occipital area of each hemisphere and could be related to the parenchymal abnormalities of PRES. The EEG pattern of partial SE related to independent occipital foci illustrates a distinctive seizure disorder that could be characteristic of PRES in adult patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / complications
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / pathology
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / physiopathology*
  • Consciousness Disorders / etiology
  • Consciousness Disorders / physiopathology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / pathology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Occipital Lobe / pathology
  • Occipital Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / pathology
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Status Epilepticus / etiology
  • Status Epilepticus / pathology
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology*
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology