Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Triggerred By Alcohol Withdrawal

• DOI: 10.5080/u18397
• Publication Date: 2017-03-28T13:23:39Z
• Authors: Tugce Mengi; Yaprak Secil; Aysel Coban; Yesim Beckmann
• Keywords: Hypertensive encephalopathy; Occipital lobe; Neurological examination; Pathophysiology; Alcohol withdrawal syndrome; Hypertensive emergency; Excessive alcohol consumption; Alcohol Dependence

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiological entity characterized by headache, altered mental status, epileptic seizures, visual disturbances and typically transient changes in posterior cerebral circulation areas. In this article, we present case of alcohol withdrawal accompanied PRES.A 53-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with hallucinations meaningless speech. History from his relatives revealed that he has been consuming for about 35 years last consumption was 3 days before admission. On neurological examination, there limited cooperation disorientation evident person, place time. The speech incoherent. No localizing sign observed. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) bilateral hyperintense areas medial occipital cortices subcortical white matter extending partly into parietal region. Treatment started. Signs symptoms regressed on 7th day treatment as well lesions MRI.The clinical presentation, characteristic MRI features together nature suggest diagnosis PRES. precise pathophysiological mechanism PRES still remains unclear. Hypertension, conditions are associated impaired auto-regulation use which increases levels reactive oxygen species nitric oxide may lead disruption endothelial cells blood-brain barrier breakdown. Overall, our case, think chronic alcoholism might have caused dysfunction leading