Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and COVID-19: A series of 6 cases from Lombardy, Italy

eNeurologicalSci. 2020 Dec 22:22:100306. doi: 10.1016/j.ensci.2020.100306. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy cases are increasingly being reported in patients affected by COVID-19, but the largest series so far only includes 4 patients. We present a series of 6 patients diagnosed with PRES during COVID-19 hospitalized in 5 Centers in Lombardia, Italy. 5 out of the 6 patients required intensive care assistence and seizures developed at weaning from assisted ventilation. 3 out of 6 patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid analysis which was normal in all cases, with negative PCR for Sars-CoV-2 genome search. PRES occurrence may be less rare than supposed in COVID-19 patients and a high suspicion index is warranted for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; PRES; Seizures.