A PRESsing dissection.

BACKGROUND

Intracranial dissections have been associated with baroreceptor reflex failure. When this occurs labile hypertension may be observed with its own complications, including but not limited to the clinico-radiographic entity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

We describe a case of carotid dissection resulting in PRES.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe failure of the baroreceptor reflex due to carotid dissection resulted in hypertension and subsequent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.