Published online Aug 26, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i24.8805
Peer-review started: April 26, 2022
First decision: June 8, 2022
Revised: June 13, 2022
Accepted: July 24, 2022
Article in press: July 24, 2022
Published online: August 26, 2022
Processing time: 111 Days and 20.4 Hours
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic encephalopathic state, manifesting clinical symptoms of headache, altered consciousness, visual disturbances, and seizures. Although several diseases have been identified as causative of PRES, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Song et al recently published “Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: A case report“ in the World Journal of Clinical Cases, highlighting and discussing the role of hypercalcemia in PRES as related to uncontrolled hypertension. To build upon this case description, we provide further insight into the possible underlying mechanisms of PRES through this commentary.
Core Tip: We speculate that posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome may be caused by paraneoplastic antibodies, tumors or even antitumor therapy, per se, in addition to the hypercalcemia postulated by Song et al in “Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: A case report“ (World Journal of Clinical Cases, March 2022).