PRES

PRES PRES (courtesy Madja Turnher) PRES is short for Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome. It is also known as reversible posterior Leukoencephalopathy syndrome [RPLS]. It classically consists of potentially reversible vasogenic edema in the posterior circulation territories, but anterior circulation structures can also be involved (6). Many causes have been described including hypertension, eclampsia and preeclampsia, immunosuppressive medications such as cyclosporine. The mechanism is not entirely understood but is thought to be related to a hyperperfusion state, with blood-brain-barrier breakthrough, extravasation of fluid potentially containing blood or macromolecules, and resulting cortical or subcortical edema. The typical imaging findings of PRES are most apparent as hyperintensity on FLAIR images in the parietooccipital and posterior frontal cortical and subcortical white matter; less commonly, the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum are involved. On the left images of a patient with reversible neurological symptoms. The abnormalities are seen both in the posterior circulation as well as in the basal ganglia. Continue. Four days later most of the abnormalities have disappeared.