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Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome (RESLES): What's in a Name?
Author(s) -
GarciaMonco Juan Carlos,
Cortina Ines Escalza,
Ferreira Eva,
Martínez Amaia,
Ruiz Lara,
Cabrera Alberto,
Beldarrain Marian Gomez
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2008.00279.x
Subject(s) - medicine , splenium , etiology , corpus callosum , encephalitis , lesion , pathology , encephalopathy , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , diffusion mri , virus , virology
BACKGROUND The presence of transient lesions involving the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) has been described in patients with encephalitis or encephalopathy of varied etiology. We have termed it RESLES (reversible splenial lesion syndrome).PURPOSE To describe 3 additional patients (2 encephalitis, 1 hypoglycemia) and review the literature to define this syndrome, its etiology, presentation, prognosis, and possible pathophysiological mechanisms.METHODS Search of the MEDLINE database from 1966 through 2007. English language article titles and abstracts were screened and the appropriate articles reviewed. Additional articles cited by original references were also reviewed.RESULTS RESLES is caused by antiepileptic drug withdrawal, infection, high‐altitude cerebral edema (HACE), or metabolic disorders (hypoglycemia and hypernatremia). Complete resolution after a variable lapse is the rule. Clinical presentation is nonspecific, without evidence of callosal disconnection syndromes. Neuroimaging shows a nonenhancing, round‐shaped lesion centered in the SCC that disappears after a variable lapse. Diffusion studies reveal DW hypersignal with low ADC values, suggestive of cytotoxic edema. Only HACE‐related cases and 1 patient with pregabalin withdrawal showed high ADC values, consistent with vasogenic edema.CONCLUSION RESLES is a distinct clinicoradiological syndrome of varied etiology and benign course except in those patients with an underlying severe disorder.