Recurrent Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Child With Microscopic Polyangiitis

Microscopic polyangiitis presenting with persistent cough and hemoptysis in pediatrics: A case report and review of the literature

Background

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a necrotizing vasculitis that involves small- and medium-sized vessels and is associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with a perinuclear staining pattern (p-ANCA). The kidney and lungs are the organs primarily affected. MPA is rare in children and is easily misdiagnosed. Below is a complete case history of the course of the disease.

Case presentation

An 11-year-old girl with a 1-month history of cough and hemoptysis showed no improvement after imipenem-cilastatin treatment. p-ANCA and microscopic hematuria and proteinuria were positive, and a chest CT revealed an area of shadow in the bilateral lower lobe of the lungs. Renal biopsies showed crescentic glomerulonephritis, and MPA was diagnosed based on these criteria. The patient exhibited dramatic clinical and imaging improvements after immunosuppressive treatment.

Conclusion

The organs most commonly involved in MPA in children are the lungs, kidneys, skin, nervous system organs, and organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Careful examination should be carried out in these patients while biopsies of the kidney or any other organs remain the gold standard for diagnostic purposes. Pulmonary involvement may be the initial symptom of the disease and should not be confused with pneumonia. A urinalysis should be performed in patients with hemoptysis. Antibiotics should be used with caution.

A Young Patient with Microscopic Polyangiitis Requiring Hemodialysis with Complications of Repeated Episodes of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Probably Due to Different Etiologies

A young woman with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) requiring hemodialysis showed repeated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with spatiotemporal multiple lesions over a period of two months. The first PRES episode with confusion and the second PRES episode with vertigo and nausea were caused by MPA, hypertension and renal failure. These symptoms were improved by the reinforcement of MPA treatment and blood pressure management. The third PRES episode with nausea, headache, seizure and visual changes was induced by rituximab infusion and hypertension. The PRES was improved with blood pressure and convulsant management. These conditions are challenging to diagnose and treat.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient With Microscopic Polyangiitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Central nervous system (CNS) is rarely involved in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Here, we report a 14-year-old girl with MPA who developed new-onset seizures with deterioration of renal function. Her brain CT scan and MRI showed concurrent complications of intracerebral hemorrhage and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). She got remission with combinations of methylprednisolone pulse, plasma exchange, regular hemodialysis, antiseizure and antihypertension medications. Furthermore, it is crucial to exclude the adverse effect of medications such as corticosteroid and biological therapy. We searched the literatures, retrieved 6 cases of MPA with PRES and summarized their clinical characteristics.