Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and COVID-19: A series of 6 cases from Lombardy, Italy
Antonio Colombo, Filippo Martinelli Boneschi, Sandro Beretta, Nereo Bresolin, Maurizio Versino, Lorenzo Lorusso, Diego Spagnoli, Giulia Nastasi, Davide Vallauri, Stefania Rota, Maria Repaci, Massimo Ferrarini, Mattia Pozzato, Lucia Princiotta Cariddi, Payam Tabaee Damavandi, Federico Carimati, Paola Banfi, Alessandro Clemenzi, Margherita Marelli, Andrea Giorgianni, Gabriele Vinacci, M. Mauri, Paola Melzi, Maria Di Stefano, Antonio Tetto, Margherita Canesi, Andrea Salmaggi
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.