Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review

Abstract Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by white matter lesions distributed mainly at the posterior brain, which may present with headache, visual disturbances, seizures, and disturbed consciousness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)....

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Main Authors: Yu Chen, Yu-Cheng Chu, Shih-Chi Chen, Ting-Hui Chang, Chien-Sheng Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-02-01
Series:Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43166-025-00309-5
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author Yu Chen
Yu-Cheng Chu
Shih-Chi Chen
Ting-Hui Chang
Chien-Sheng Wu
author_facet Yu Chen
Yu-Cheng Chu
Shih-Chi Chen
Ting-Hui Chang
Chien-Sheng Wu
author_sort Yu Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by white matter lesions distributed mainly at the posterior brain, which may present with headache, visual disturbances, seizures, and disturbed consciousness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recurrent PRES is uncommon, but persistent seizures after PRES are even rarer. Case presentation Herein, we reported a 33-year-old Taiwanese female patient with SLE requiring long-term antiepileptics after two episodes of PRES within 5 months. The possible trigger factors were end-stage renal disease, hypertension, and immunosuppressant use. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense lesions in the bilateral parietal lobes, occipital lobes, and cerebellum, which was compatible with PRES. There are still unresolved clinical problems regarding the management of PRES in SLE. To investigate possible risk factors of recurrent attacks and persisted epileptic spikes, we also reviewed previous literature for recurrent PRES and antiepileptic use to provide insight into the clinical care of these patients. In our review, most patients have recent end-stage renal disease or immunosuppressant use, and the main trigger factor is severe hypertension which breaks down the blood–brain barrier, impairs cerebrovascular autoregulation, and results in the development of brain edema and therefore PRES. Conclusion Recurrent PRES may increase the risk of epilepsy. Long-term antiepileptic agents might be prescribed based on electroencephalogram findings.
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spelling doaj-art-4fc0ad210530499ba14fb53fcb3789a82025-08-20T03:04:16ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation2090-32352025-02-015211810.1186/s43166-025-00309-5Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature reviewYu Chen0Yu-Cheng Chu1Shih-Chi Chen2Ting-Hui Chang3Chien-Sheng Wu4Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei CityDepartment of Neurology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei CityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei CityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei CityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei CityAbstract Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by white matter lesions distributed mainly at the posterior brain, which may present with headache, visual disturbances, seizures, and disturbed consciousness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recurrent PRES is uncommon, but persistent seizures after PRES are even rarer. Case presentation Herein, we reported a 33-year-old Taiwanese female patient with SLE requiring long-term antiepileptics after two episodes of PRES within 5 months. The possible trigger factors were end-stage renal disease, hypertension, and immunosuppressant use. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense lesions in the bilateral parietal lobes, occipital lobes, and cerebellum, which was compatible with PRES. There are still unresolved clinical problems regarding the management of PRES in SLE. To investigate possible risk factors of recurrent attacks and persisted epileptic spikes, we also reviewed previous literature for recurrent PRES and antiepileptic use to provide insight into the clinical care of these patients. In our review, most patients have recent end-stage renal disease or immunosuppressant use, and the main trigger factor is severe hypertension which breaks down the blood–brain barrier, impairs cerebrovascular autoregulation, and results in the development of brain edema and therefore PRES. Conclusion Recurrent PRES may increase the risk of epilepsy. Long-term antiepileptic agents might be prescribed based on electroencephalogram findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43166-025-00309-5EpilepsyMagnetic resonance imagingPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndromeSystemic lupus erythematosusRisk factors
spellingShingle Yu Chen
Yu-Cheng Chu
Shih-Chi Chen
Ting-Hui Chang
Chien-Sheng Wu
Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
Epilepsy
Magnetic resonance imaging
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Risk factors
title Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
title_full Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
title_fullStr Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
title_short Persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis: case report and literature review
title_sort persistent epileptic spikes after recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with lupus nephritis case report and literature review
topic Epilepsy
Magnetic resonance imaging
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43166-025-00309-5
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