Case Reports | Challenge Journal of Perioperative Medicine

Treatment of postpartum posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with peripheral block

Osman Celik, Gunes Eskidemir, Ceren Karaduman, Ayse Vahapoglu
Osman Celik iD * Department of Anesthesiology, Döşemealtı State Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye
Gunes Eskidemir iD Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, İstanbul Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye
Ceren Karaduman iD Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, İstanbul Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye
Ayse Vahapoglu iD Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye
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Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is associated with high blood pressure and various neurological symptoms. The most common neurological symptom is headache. It is usually diffuse and progressive at onset. If left untreated, symptoms progressively worsen over days to weeks. The excruciating headache associated with this syndrome may also trigger or worsen hypertension, thereby placing patients into a vicious cycle that complicates management. Preeclampsia is one of the reported causes of PRES. In developed countries, 16% of maternal deaths are attributed to hypertensive disorders. There is no specific, established antihypertensive regimen for the treatment of acute hypertension in patients with PRES. The use of intravenous antihypertensives may necessitate admission to the intensive care unit until a stable blood pressure target is achieved. Early recognition and treatment of PRES can help reduce the frequency of complications and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords

posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; headache; hypertension; supraorbital nerve block; greater occipital nerve block

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