Un estudio redefine las características originales de la encefalopatía posterior reversible

Posterior reversible encephalopathy: beyond the original description

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Posterior reversible encephalopathy (PRE) is a clinical and radiological entity that is typically characterized by headache, visual disturbances and seizures associated with cortical and subcortical reversible vasogenic edema in neuroimaging.

AIM:

To present a review of the pathophysiology of this entity, and also the associations of the PRE described in the literature.

DEVELOPMENT:

Given its clinical presentation, often nonspecific and variable, magnetic resonance imaging is essential for diagnosis. There are a number of well-known triggers, such as hypertensive crisis, eclampsia or certain drugs. The description of increasingly atypical cases from clinical and radiological point of view, and possible new triggers, requires a redefinition of this entity.

CONCLUSIONS:

The PRE is a set of clinical and radiological manifestations that may not be framed within the word 'syndrome'. Although, the PRE has been reported in some cases irreversible, reversibility concept should be maintained in the definition of this entity, since in most cases the rapid control of the triggering condition allows reversibility of the lesions.