Can Post-Operative Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Be Considered an Insidious Rare Surgical Complication?

Abstract

Introduction: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological disorder characterized by neurological symptoms and distinctive neuroimaging findings. There are a few cases reported in the literature in which PRES can occur after surgery, and there is no clear direct relationship between a procedure and its debut. Methods: We performed a review of the literature by analyzing all reported cases of PRES syndrome which debuted after a surgical procedure with the aim of identifying the clinical features, the timing of the symptoms’ onset and the therapy of patients suffering from this unusual surgical complication. Results: The total number of patients collected was 47, with a mean age of 40.9 years. Postoperative PRES can occur in either pediatric or adult patients (ages 4–82 years). The most frequent form of comorbidity reported was cardiovascular disease (fourteen patients, 29.78%). Sixteen patients (36%) had no relevant risk factors or comorbidities at the time of the surgical procedure. The types of surgery most correlated were cranial neuro and maxillofacial surgery (twenty-one patients, 44.68%) followed by transplant surgery (eight patients, 17%). The time of onset of PRES after surgery occurred within the first 3 weeks (mean time of onset 4.7 days), and when rapidly treated with antihypertensive and antiepileptic drugs appeared to have a reversible and benign course. Conclusion: PRES syndrome can be considered a rare complication of procedures and can occur following a wide range of surgeries, especially cranial and transplant surgery. Being able to recognize it in time and treat it ensures a full reversibility of symptoms in most cases.