Isolated Brainstem Involvement in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiologic entity characterized by headache, variable mental status, epilepsy, visual disturbances, and typical transient changes in the posterior cerebral perfusion. Parieto-occipital region the most commonly involved site. Less commonly, brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum are involved besides the supratentorial white matter areas. However, isolated brainstem involvement is very rare. We here present a case of isolated brainstem involvement in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome which was diagnosed by diffusion-weighted MR imaging.