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Lysergic acid amide-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with status epilepticus.

Stephane Legriel, Fabrice Bruneel, Odile Spreux-Varoquaux, Aurelie Birenbaum, Marie Laure Chadenat, François Mignon, Nathalie Abbosh, Matthieu Henry-Lagarrigue, Laure Revault D'Allonnes, Pierre Guezennec, Gilles Troche, Jean Pierre Bedos

Neurocritical care 2008 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-008-9096-5 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A patient with PRES after LSA ingestion
Intervention Antihypertensive therapy
Key findings Argues that LSA ingestion can induce PRES, based on a single patient who presented with convulsive status epilepticus and hypertensive encephalopathy and fully recovered after antihypertensive and anticonvulsant therapy.

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is known to occur in association with several substances. However, lysergic acid amide (LSA) is not among the previously reported causes of PRES. We report on a patient with PRES presenting as convulsive status epilepticus associated with hypertensive encephalopathy after LSA ingestion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and catecholamine metabolites assayed. The patient achieved a full recovery after aggressive antihypertensive therapy and intravenous anticonvulsivant therapy. The clinical history, blood and urinary catecholamine levels, and response to treatment strongly suggest that PRES was induced by LSA. LSA, a hallucinogenic agent chiefly used for recreational purposes, should be added to the list of causes of PRES.