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Visual hallucinations in a case of reversible hypertension‐induced brain oedema
Author(s) -
Tallaksen Chantal M.E.,
Kerty Emilia,
Bakke Søren
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-1331.1998.560615.x
Subject(s) - medicine , visual hallucination , magnetic resonance imaging , white matter , visual disturbance , blood pressure , charles bonnet syndrome , leukoencephalopathy , anesthesia , pediatrics , ophthalmology , radiology , surgery , psychiatry
Visual hallucinations are commonly associated with seizures drug effects psychiatric disorders or visual loss as ‘release’ phenomena. We report the case of a previously healthy 65‐year‐old woman who was admitted to hospital with intermittent headache episodes accompanied by complex visual hallucinations. During these episodes the patient's blood pressure was 220/120 mm Hg. In between symptomatic episodes she had no complaints and felt healthy. The neurological and ophthalmological examinations were normal but cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple white matter abnormalities in the parieto‐occipital regions. Rapid reversal of the symptoms and imaging abnormalities occurred concurrently with lowering of blood pressure. The history and the findings were similar to those recently described in the clinicoradiological ‘posterior leukoencephalopathy’ syndrome. Different pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.