Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case study.

A young woman 4 days postpartum was admitted after experiencing two seizures. Her mentation waxed and waned until, after several hours, staff were unable to arouse her with voice or touch. A computed tomography scan demonstrated considerable white-matter edema. The patient's condition declined to a coma. She remained comatose despite therapeutic interventions to control increased intracranial pressure. To her family, her condition was a source of anguish. To the physicians and nurses, she was a puzzle. The final diagnosis was posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, which was related to a preeclamptic condition and its associated hypertension. The collaboration of obstetricians and neurologists with vigilant care by neuroscience nurses resulted in a positive outcome for this challenging patient.