A case of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis that developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

Turk Pediatri Ars. 2014 Dec 1;49(4):348-52. doi: 10.5152/tpa.2014.430. eCollection 2014 Dec.

Abstract

A 10-year male patient presented with swelling in the face, legs and scrotal area which developed 8 days after tonsillitis treatment. Acute post-sterotococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) was considered in the patient whose urinalysis revealed hematuria and proteinuria at nephrotic level, whose urea, creatinine, lipid profile and anti-streptolysine O antibody levels were increased, albumin and C3 value were decreased and whose 24-hour urine test revealed proteinuria. Renal biopsy was found to be compatible with APSGN. In the follow-up, severe headache, vomiting and convulsion were observed under antihypertensive and diuretic treatment and when the blood pressure was 130/80 mmHg (the 99(th) percentile for the patient: 129/88 mmHg). During the follow-up, the blood pressure values increased to 160/90 mmHg. The electroencephalogram (EEG) performed was found to be normal and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were compatible with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). MRI was found to be normal at the first month following antihypertensive and anticonvulsive treatment. In the first year of the follow-up, the blood pressure, neurological examination and urinalysis findings were found to be normal. This patient was presented to draw attention to the fact that PRES can also present with a blood pressure tending to increase and with blood pressure values which are not so high.

Keywords: Acute glomerulonephritis; childhood; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports