Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Complicating Intracranial Hemorrhage After Phenylpropanolamine Exposure

—Case Report—

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman suffered sudden onset of thunderclap headache after exposure to phenylpropanolamine (PPA), and subsequently developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) complicated by occipital intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) with cerebral vasoconstriction. PPA is well known to be associated with ICH and vasoconstriction, but this case illustrates the association with PRES. The danger of exposure to PPA and subsequent adverse events is quite low at present, but we must consider the possibility of exposure to medical agents in patients with repeated severe headache who have no organic disorder.