Serotonin Syndrome Presenting as a Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological syndrome characterized by an altered level of consciousness, headaches, seizure, and visual changes. PRES has several different etiologies, including malignant hypertension, eclampsia, and certain medications. Here, we describe a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Muhammad Taimur Malik, Mohammad Faraz Majeed, Ramin Zand
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2020-02-01
Series:Case Reports in Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/505907
Description
Summary:Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological syndrome characterized by an altered level of consciousness, headaches, seizure, and visual changes. PRES has several different etiologies, including malignant hypertension, eclampsia, and certain medications. Here, we describe a 41-year-old woman who presented with altered mental status. She had a preliminary diagnosis of serotonin syndrome as she was on many different serotonin-sparing agents, but her imaging findings were consistent with PRES. After her medications were reviewed and the causative agent was removed, the patient’s neurological exam and imaging findings improved, and she returned to her baseline. To our knowledge, this is a unique case of PRES caused by serotonin syndrome secondary to venlafaxine usage.
ISSN:1662-680X