Affiliations: Department C of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital of
Tunis, Tunisia
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Manel Bellalah, Hôpital d'Enfants de
Tunis, Bab Saadoun, 1007, Jebari, Tunis, Tunisia. Tel.: +216 94298599,
22572859; Fax: +216 71365337; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a recently
defined cliniconeuroradiologic entity, rarely reported in children.
Hypertensive encephalopathy is the most common cause. A 4-year-old boy
presented with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome manifested by
headache, seizures, coma, papilledema and facial paralysis complicating severe
arterial hypertension. Computed tomography scan of the brain showed bilateral
low-density areas corresponding to the frontal, parietooccipital white matter
and to the internal capsula. Blood pressure was controlled within 4 days and
clinical recovery was obtained within 5 days. Magnetic resonance imaging,
performed 2 months later, was normal. The arterial hypertension was caused by
renal scars of bilateral vesico-renal reflux. The clinical course,
pathophysiology and neuroimaging features of reversible posterior
leukoencephalopathy syndrome in children are discussed.
