PRES AS A COMPLICATION OF A MODERATE PREECLAMPSIA: CASE REPORT AND SHORT REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

We present a case of puerpera with two major complications of preeclampsia: PRES manifested by eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. PRES is neuroradiological entity characterized by hypertension, altered mental status, visual disturbances, headache and generalized seizures together with characteristic findings on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scan. An important fact considering PRES (which also happened to our patient) is that it can be developed without significant rise in blood pressure, in a situation of severe endothelial injury with diminished cerebral autoregulatory capacity. Another consequence of vascular endotheliosis that developed in our patient was HELLP syndrome. Although the complications are severe, this state is usually completely reversible presuming that prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy were timely undertaken, as in the case we report here.

Key words: Eclampsia, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, HELLP syndrome