Maggio 2019 - Volume XXXVIII - numero 5
Problemi speciali
1UO di Pediatria, AOU di Bologna Policlinico di Sant’Orsola; 2Scuola di Specializzazione in Pediatria; 3UO di Pediatria d’Urgenza; 4UO di Radiologia, Pediatria, AOU di Bologna Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Università di Bologna
5IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC di Neuroradiologia, Bologna
6UO di Neuropsichiatria Infantile, AOU di Bologna Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Università di Bologna
Indirizzo per corrispondenza: riccardo.masetti5@unibo.it
Key words: PRES, Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, Licorice, Hypertension, Seizures
Background - PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome) is a clinical-radiological
entity characterised by a combination of neurological signs and symptoms and neuroradiological
alterations like subcortical and cortical vasogenic oedema that is bilateral
and symmetric and mainly involves the posteriors regions of cerebral hemispheres. Currently,
two theories exist about the pathophysiology of PRES; these theories identify arterial
hypertension and endothelial injury induced by an inflammatory process or immune
disorders as trigger factors of PRES. The signs and symptoms associated with PRES are
also common to other diseases of CNS, like ischemic or haemorrhagic events, infections,
neoplasia, metabolic diseases and epilepsy. These diseases have to be considered in the
differential diagnosis process. PRES is associated with a wide range of clinical conditions,
namely transplantations, immunosuppressive therapy, chemotherapy, autoimmune
diseases, infections and hypertension. As these groups of patients are more predisposed
to the onset of PRES, the encephalopathy should be taken into consideration and the right
exams should be prescribed in order to diagnose it. In this case brain MRI represents the
gold standard for the diagnosis. PRES is generally a reversible and benign condition, nevertheless
severe complications with poor clinical outcomes can occur.
Methods - The paper describes PRES peculiar aspects including a curios clinical case of
PRES associated to a massive consumption of glycyrrhizic acid coming from liquorice
sweets that Paolo (a 10- year-old boy) had been eating in high quantity every day since
4 months, unaware that his blood pressure would have increased until the onset of an
encephalopathy that luckily had been solved without permanent outcomes.
Conclusion - It is essential to know patients’ categories that are at high risk of encephalopathy
and suspect PRES at an early stage to start an appropriate treatment and avoid
severe complications.
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