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Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in an 87-year-old woman with Escherichia coli bloodstream infection

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Abstract

We present the case of an 87-year-old woman with history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic heart diseases, urinary tract infections, and cerebrovascular disease who experienced a transient clinical picture characterized by confusion, lethargy, and acute renal dysfunction in the course of urinary tract infection with Escherichia coli bacteremia. Escherichia coli bloodstream infection was associated with brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in which the lesion distribution was consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Diagnosis of PRES was confirmed by demonstration of vasogenic edema on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and near-complete resolution of clinical manifestations at discharge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, St. Anna, Corso della Giovecca 203, Ferrara, 44100, Italy

    Fabio Fabbian, Marco Pala, Jay Capone, Vincenza Cinzia Monetti, Daniela Fratti & Enrico Fainardi

  2. Neurology Unit, University Hospital, St. Anna, Corso della Giovecca 203, Ferrara, 44100, Italy

    Elisa Fallica, Jay Capone, Vincenza Cinzia Monetti & Daniela Fratti

  3. Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital, St. Anna, Corso della Giovecca 203, Ferrara, 44100, Italy

    Enrico Fainardi

  4. Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University Hospital, St. Anna, Corso della Giovecca 203, Ferrara, 44100, Italy

    Elisa Fallica, Jay Capone, Vincenza Cinzia Monetti, Daniela Fratti & Enrico Fainardi

Authors
  1. Fabio Fabbian
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  2. Marco Pala
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  3. Elisa Fallica
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  4. Jay Capone
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  5. Vincenza Cinzia Monetti
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  6. Daniela Fratti
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  7. Enrico Fainardi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabio Fabbian.

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Fabbian, F., Pala, M., Fallica, E. et al. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in an 87-year-old woman with Escherichia coli bloodstream infection. Clin Exp Nephrol 14, 176–179 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-009-0234-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-009-0234-y

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