Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after kidney transplantation: a case report

• Autor(a) principal: Davi,Carla Beatriz
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Moraes,Bruna Pinheiro de, Lichtenfels,Bruno Fontes, Castro Filho,João Batista Saldanha de, Portal,Marcelle Maria, Montenegro,Rosangela Munhoz, Manfro,Roberto Ceratti
• Tipo de documento: Relatório
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-28002018000100091
• topic: Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome; Kidney Transplantation; Tacrolimus

ABSTRACT Introduction: Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) was first described by Hinchey in 1996. The syndrome is characterized by altered level of consciousness, headache, visual changes, and seizures associated with a vasogenic edema of the white matter that occurs predominantly in the occipital and parietal lobes. Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) and especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) support the diagnosis. Case Report: We report a case of a 48-year-old female patient who underwent a deceased donor kidney transplant and received tacrolimus as a part of the immunosuppressive regimen. Five weeks after transplantation she was admitted to the emergency due to sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, visual disturbances, and major headache. PRES was suspected and the diagnosis confirmed by brain MRI. Tacrolimus was withdrawn and rapid improvement of the neurological signs occurred leading to the conclusion that this drug triggered the syndrome. Conclusion: PRES is an unusual complication after organ transplantation and should be considered in the appropriate clinical setting. Physicians must be aware of this condition in order to provide early detection and appropriate treatment since delay in removing the cause may lead to permanent sequelae.