Status epilepticus as manifestation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a healthy child.

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a recently described cliniconeuroradiological syndrome reported in children with several predisposing conditions such as transplantation, autoimmune, hematological, infectious, renal, and neoplastic diseases or administration of chemotherapeutic immunosuppressive drugs. Seizures are one of the most frequent manifestations of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; status epilepticus has been described more frequently in adults but rarely in children. We report on the case of a 6-year-old healthy boy who presented status epilepticus as the main manifestation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in the absence of other underlying conditions. This is the first report of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a previously healthy child. Our case reminds us that pathogenesis of this condition is far from being completely understood and may include both genetic and environmental factors. Moreover, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome should always be suspected by clinicians in cases of status epilepticus with a prolonged neurological failure.

• Authors: Chiara Mameli, Dario Dilillo, Daniele Spiri, Chiara Cerini, Silvia Fasan, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
• Journal: Pediatric neurology (Pediatr Neurol) Vol. 48 Issue 5 Pg. 418-20 (May 2013) ISSN: 1873-5150 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23583065 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Phenobarbital

Topics

• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Brain (pathology)
• Child
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Neurologic Examination
• Phenobarbital (therapeutic use)
• Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (complications, pathology)
• Status Epilepticus (drug therapy, etiology)