Cyclosporin-A induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a recently proposed clinico-neuroradiological entity observed in a variety of clinical settings such as cyclosporin A (CsA) neurotoxicity. We report a 3.5-year-old Syrian boy in whom steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was recently diagnosed. The patient remitted his nephrotic syndrome after 10 days of CsA administration. However, he shortly developed altered mental status, visual impairment, focal neurological deficits and seizures. We discontinued CsA that resulted in complete reversal of the patient's encephalopathical condition over a period of 4 months. We conclude that PRES should be suspected in immunosuppresed patients with kidney disease if they have a sudden episode of neurological symptoms.