Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Case Report

A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with Takayasu's arteritis

Kenji Wakida, M.D., Ph.D.1), Hiroyuki Morita, M.D., Ph.D.2), Takeo Sakurai, M.D., Ph.D.1) and Hiroshi Nishida, M.D., Ph.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center
2)Department of General Internal Medicine, Gifu University Hospital

A 75-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of repetitive loss of consciousness, dizziness, and ear fullness. Fluid attenuation inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging showed high-intensity areas in the right occipital lobe, both frontal lobes, and parietal lobes, and the patient was therefore admitted to our department for further examination. Neurologic findings included a positive Barré sign (right upper extremity), impaired tandem gait, and positive left-sided Babinski reflex. The patient was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis owing to a difference in blood pressure between the left and right upper extremity, weakened pulse in the left upper extremity, as well as thickened arterial wall, and delayed enhancement on a contrast-enhanced computed tomography image. The head magnetic resonance imaging findings disappeared within 4 months and the patient was diagnosed with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with elderly female Takayasu's arteritis is rare. ; the present case therefore offers valuable information.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (560K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 56: 174|179, 2016)
key words: Takayasu's arteritis, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES), elderly female

(Received: 4-Oct-15)