A case of catatonia due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome treated successfully with antihypertensives and adjunctive olanzapine

David R Spiegel; Charles Varnell Jr

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.01.007

A case of catatonia due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome treated successfully with antihypertensives and adjunctive olanzapine

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2011 May-Jun;33(3):302.e3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.01.007. Epub 2011 Feb 26.

Authors

David R Spiegel¹, Charles Varnell Jr

Affiliation

¹ Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. spiegedr@evms.edu

PMID: 21601735
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.01.007

Abstract

Catatonia is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome with prominent motor manifestations. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiologic syndrome usually precipitated by malignant hypertension. Given the overlapping neuropathology in both syndromes, we present a case of catatonia precipitated by PRES, with full resolution of the former after successful treatment of the latter.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use*
Catatonia / etiology*
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Humans
Hypertensive Encephalopathy / complications*
Hypertensive Encephalopathy / drug therapy*
Middle Aged
Olanzapine
Syndrome
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antihypertensive Agents
Benzodiazepines
Olanzapine