Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in eclamptic patients: neuroradiological manifestation, pathogenesis and management.

INTRODUCTION: Eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, defined as the occurrence of one or more convulsions superimposed on preeclampsia. Besides the ordinary course of the disease, ranging from a mild to a severe form, with culmination in eclamptic seizures, there is a significant percent of cases where eclampsia starts unexpectedly, without typical premonitory symptoms and signs, which makes it difficult to prevent. NEURORADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PATHOGENESIS OF ECLAMPSIA. Neuroradiological signs of eclampsia are described as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and are manifested by nausea, vomiting, headache, visual disturbances, altered mental status, convulsions and coma, together with characteristic findings on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan of the head, indicating the presence of vasogenic brain edema. The topic of this article are possible mechanisms of the development of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pregnancy and modalities of acute treatment of this emergency state. MANAGEMENT OF ECLAMPSIA: Magnesium sulphate is nowadays the drug of choice for the treatment and prevention of eclamptic seizures. Labetalol is considered to be the agent of choice in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies of pregnancy, followed by hydralazine, nifedipine, nicardipine, urapidil, nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside (in most refractory cases). Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin blocking drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy. Captopril and enalapril are allowed during lactation.

CONCLUSION: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in eclamptic patients is completely reversible if adequate diagnosis is promptly made and intensive treatment immediately administered.