Cerebral-autoregulatory dysfunction syndrome

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Dec 5:2013:bcr2013201592. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-201592.

Abstract

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome are distinct clinicoradiological disorders which share certain features in terms of aetiology, pathogenesis and symptomatology. We present a case of a young primigravida with eclampsia who developed severe headache, vision loss and hemiparesis in the postpartum phase. MRI of the brain was suggestive of the involvement of anterior as well as posterior circulation and reversibility of widespread angiographic constrictions could be documented on follow-up. Despite the resolution of vascular changes, vision loss did not improve significantly in our case. Such an overlap of findings is unusual and probably represents the spectrum of cerebral-autoregulatory dysfunction occurring in these two syndromes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation*
  • Eclampsia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Syndrome
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / diagnosis*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / etiology*
  • Vision Disorders / etiology