Peritoneal dialysis: A factor of risk or protection for posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome? Review of the literature

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a clinical and radiological entity with acute or subacute neurological presentation associated with brain lesions that primarily affect the white matter of the posterior regions. It is often associated with the rapid onset of severe hypertension and/or with kidney failure (acute and chronic), but it has also been reported as a neurological complication in several medical conditions. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases and related publications due to the advance of diagnostic imaging techniques. The characteristic radiological finding includes hyperintense lesions in T2- and FLAIR-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, which are often bilateral and located in the posterior cerebral regions and correspond to areas of vasogenic oedema.Little is known about the pathophysiology of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The most accepted theory, especially in cases with associated hypertension, is the loss of cerebral self-regulation which leads to the onset of vasogenic oedema. The main feature of this syndrome is the reversibility of both symptoms and cerebral lesions with an early and appropriate diagnosis.Despite the frequent association with kidney failure and severe hypertension, there are few cases reported in patients on peritoneal dialysis. This article presents a review of PRES in peritoneal dialysis patients in the published literature.