Eclampsia is known to cause posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which is commonly associated with extensive neurovascular damage affecting preferably posterior regions and often leads to reversible cortical blindness. We describe a case of a young woman with PRES in a late postpartum stage. The patient was not initially diagnosed with preeclampsia nor PRES due to the presence of ambiguous symptoms. A diagnosis of PRES and late postpartum eclampsia (LPE) was obtained by eliminating other more likely diagnoses consistent with the confounding symptoms. Finally, once appropriate treatment was instituted, the patient’s PRES was resolved without neurological sequelae. This case emphasizes the importance of properly and quickly recognizing PRES and LPE, as tardy or inappropriate treatment can lead to irreversible neurological damage.

Authors: Sandra Cristina Neto Carneiro, Ana Rute Lopes Caçola, Daniela Rodrigues de Carvalho, Ernestina da Piedade Rodrigues Gomes Ribeiro

Key Words: Late postpartum eclampsia; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; postdural puncture headache; cortical blindness; seizure