Comparison of magnesium sulfate and mannitol in treatment of eclamptic women with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) and mannitol in the treatment of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in eclamptic women.

STUDY DESIGN:

This retrospective analysis includes 62 eclamptic women between 22 and 40 weeks of gestation who were diagnosed with PRES in a tertiary care center. To treat neurological symptoms, 34 women received magnesium sulfate (Group 1) and the remaining 28 received 20% mannitol (Group 2) at the discretion of treating physician.

RESULTS:

Ten patients from both Group 1 (29%) and Group 2 (35.7%) were normotensive at admission. 59 of 62 patients presented with seizure. All patients underwent fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Parietooccipital region and cerebellum were the most commonly affected areas. The duration of treatment was significantly shorter in Group 1 than Group 2 (p < 0.001). Neurological examinations and the recovery after treatment were significantly better in favor of MgSO(4) group (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION:

Mannitol is not superior to magnesium sulfate in achieving neurological recovery. Magnesium sulfate seems to be the agent of choice for treatment of PRES.

• Authors: Bilge Cetinkaya Demir, Kemal Ozerkan, Sevda Erer Ozbek, Nalan Yıldırım Eryılmaz, Gokhan Ocakoglu
• Journal: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (Arch Gynecol Obstet) Vol. 286 Issue 2 Pg. 287-93 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1432-0711 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 22427007 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Mannitol
• Magnesium Sulfate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Eclampsia (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Magnesium Sulfate (therapeutic use)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Mannitol (therapeutic use)
• Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Pregnancy
• Retrospective Studies
• Seizures (drug therapy)
• Young Adult