SARS-CoV-2 may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) associated with COVID-19: A CARE-compliant case report and literature review

Abstract

Rationale: During the past 3 years of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, COVID-19 has been recognized to cause various neurological complications, including rare posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). In previously reported cases of PRES associated with COVID-19, the majority of patients had severe COVID-19 infection and known predisposing factors for PRES, such as uncontrolled hypertension, renal dysfunction, and use of immunosuppressants. It remains unclear whether these risk factors or infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contributes to the development of PRES in these patients. Here we report a special case of PRES associated with COVID-19 without any known risk factors for PRES, indicating the SARS-CoV-2’s direct role in the pathogenesis of PRES associated with COVID-19. Patient concerns: An 18-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Preliminary investigations showed no abnormalities, except for positive results in novel coronavirus nucleic acid tests using oropharyngeal swabs. However, the patient subsequently developed tonic–clonic seizures, headaches, and vomiting on the second day. Extensive investigations have been performed, including brain MRI and lumbar puncture. Brain MRI showed hypointense T1-weighted and hyperintense T2-weighted lesions in the bilateral occipital, frontal, and parietal cortices without enhancement effect. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid analyses yielded negative results. The patient had no hypertension, renal insufficiency, autoimmune disease, or the use of immunosuppressants or cytotoxic drugs. Diagnoses: PRES was diagnosed based on the clinical features and typical MRI findings of PRES. Interventions: Symptomatic treatments such as anticonvulsants were administered to the patients. Outcomes: The patient fully recovered within 1 week. The initial MRI abnormalities also disappeared completely on a second MR examination performed 11 days later, supporting the diagnosis of PRES. The patient was followed up for 6 months and remained in a normal state. Lessons: The current case had no classical risk factors for PRES, indicating that although the cause of PRES in COVID-19 patients may be multifactorial, the infection of SARS-CoV-2 may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of PRES associated with COVID-19.