Treatment of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome that Occurred in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Plasmapheresis

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a rare cause of seizures following non-transplant cardiac surgery

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is rarely reported as a cause for seizures following cardiac surgery. PRES in non-transplant cardiac surgery may reflect under-diagnosis and under-reporting. While the condition is reversible, a delay in diagnosis can lead to irreversible brain injury. We describe a case of PRES that occurred after aortic valve replacement with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting.

The challenging clinical dilemma of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a challenging clinical dilemma. A retrospective single-center study was performed to investigate the clinical features, risk factors, outcomes, and clinical determinants of the prognosis of PRES in SLE.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed from January 2015 to December 2020. 19 episodes of lupus PRES and 19 episodes of non-lupus PRES were identified. 38 cases of patients presenting with neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) hospitalized during the same period were selected as controls. Survival status was acquired via outpatient and telephone follow-up in December 2022.

RESULTS

The clinical neurological presentation of PRES in lupus patients was similar to that of the non-SLE-related PRES and NPSLE populations. Nephritis-induced hypertension is the predominant trigger of PRES in SLE. Disease flare and renal failure-triggered PRES were identified in half of the patients with SLE. The mortality rate of lupus-related PRES during the 2‑year follow-up was 15.8%, the same as that of NPSLE. For patients with lupus-related PRES, multivariate analysis indicated that high diastolic blood pressure (OR =1.762, 95% CI: 1.031 ~ 3.012, p = 0.038), renal involvement (OR = 3.456, 95% CI: 0.894 ~ 14.012, p = 0.049), and positive proteinuria (OR = 1.231, 95% CI: 1.003 ~ 1.511, p = 0.047) were independent risk factors compared to NPSLE. A strong connection between the absolute counts of T and/or B cells and prognosis in lupus patients with neurological manifestations was found (p < 0.05). The lower the counts of T and/or B cells, the worse the prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Lupus patients with renal involvement and disease activity are more likely to develop PRES. The mortality rate of lupus-related PRES is similar to that of NPSLE. Focusing on immune balance might reduce mortality.

Dramatic Response of Lupus Enteritis, Nephritis, and Pancytopenia to Plasmapheresis and Rituximab

Background

Although lupus enteritis is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus yet results in significant distress. This disorder contributes to diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma leading to enhanced mortality. Case Description. We report a case history of a 29-year-old female who presented with severe abdominal pain, watery stools, and vomiting, and later on, she developed pancytopenia and renal impairment. On intensive workup, diagnosis of lupus-associated enteritis, nephritis, and pancytopenia was discovered. She improved drastically on initiation of plasmapheresis followed by low-dose intravenous rituximab. One year posttreatment, she remained in complete remission.

Conclusion

From this case, it can be suggested that in a young female with intractable abdominal pain, the remote possibility of lupus enteritis must be kept in mind. Besides this, plasmapheresis can have a potential role in refractory lupus enteritis. Furthermore, low-dose intravenous rituximab can be a safe and cost-effective treatment option in achieving sustained remission of clinical and laboratory parameters in lupus enteritis.