Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2008; 06(04): 385-388
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557479
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome: A rare complication of hypertensive encephalopathy in children

Olfa Bouyahia
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Manel Bellalah
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Narjess Amdouni
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Lamia Gharsallah
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Sonia Mrad Mazigh
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Ibtissem Bellagah
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Samir Boukthir
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
,
Azza El Gharbi Sammoud
a   Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

25 February 2008

12 May 2008

Publication Date:
30 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a recently defined cliniconeuroradiologic entity, rarely reported in children. Hypertensive encephalopathy is the most common cause. A 4-year-old boy presented with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome manifested by headache, seizures, coma, papilledema and facial paralysis complicating severe arterial hypertension. Computed tomography scan of the brain showed bilateral low-density areas corresponding to the frontal, parietooccipital white matter and to the internal capsula. Blood pressure was controlled within 4 days and clinical recovery was obtained within 5 days. Magnetic resonance imaging, performed 2 months later, was normal. The arterial hypertension was caused by renal scars of bilateral vesico-renal reflux. The clinical course, pathophysiology and neuroimaging features of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in children are discussed.