Sickle cell disease and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy

J Clin Neurosci. 2014 Aug;21(8):1329-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2013.10.028. Epub 2014 Jan 24.

Abstract

Sickle cell disease can present with neurological manifestations. One such presentation is with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy also known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy. The condition is classically described as reversible over time; it commonly presents with oedematous changes involving the white matter of the occipital and parietal regions. Only a few patients with the association between sickle cell disease and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy have been described in the adult literature. We present two patients from our institutions to emphasise the association between the two conditions and summarise the published cases in the literature.

Keywords: Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; Sickle cell anaemia; Sickle cell disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / pathology
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / physiopathology
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / therapy
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / complications*
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / pathology
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / therapy