Definition

A rare condition marked by headaches, vision problems, mental changes, seizures, and swelling in the brain. The symptoms of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome usually come on quickly and can be serious and life threatening. When treated, symptoms often go away within days or weeks. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome may occur in patients with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, eclampsia, severe infection, kidney disease, and certain autoimmune diseases. It may also occur in patients treated with certain anticancer drugs and immunosuppressive drugs. Also called PRES, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, and RPLS.