RESUMO Relatamos um caso de cegueira cortical secundário à síndrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior recuperado pelo controle bem sucedido da pressão arterial. Um homem branco de 66 anos de idade compareceu à emergência com queixa de dor de cabeça frontal severa, desorientação e embaçamento progressivo da visão. O exame físico inicial revelou uma pressão arterial de 200/176 mmHg. Uma hora depois, o paciente apresentou confusão mental e cegueira bilateral. Após a tomografia e a ressonância nuclear magnética, o tratamento sistêmico foram realizados e o diagnóstico de síndrome da leucoencefalopatia posterior foi realizado. A síndrome de leucoencefalopatia posterior é uma manifestação rara de hipertensão sistêmica que requer um diagnóstico e gerenciamento adequados para evitar danos cerebrais irreversíveis. O reconhecimento precoce desta condição e o controle imediato da pressão arterial são essenciais porque podem levar à reversão da síndrome, o que, de outra forma, pode resultar em dano cerebral permanente.

ABSTRACT We report a case of cortical blindness secondary to posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, which was successfully treated by blood pressure management. A 66-year-old white man presented at the emergency room complaining of severe frontal headache, disorientation, and progressive blurred vision. The initial physical examination disclosed a blood pressure of 200/176 mmHg. One hour later the patient exhibited mental confusion and bilateral blindness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and a systemic workup was conducted, resulting in a diagnosis of posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. This syndrome is a rare manifestation of systemic hypertension that requires proper diagnosis and management to avoid irreversible brain damage. Early recognition of this condition and prompt control of the patient’s blood pressure are essential because they may bring about a reversal of the syndrome, which may otherwise result in permanent brain damage.

Percutaneous ablation procedures are minimally invasive treatments for unresectable early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These techniques are usually safe, but rare and even fatal complications have been described. We present a fatal result after percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for the treatment of a recurrent HCC in a non-cirrhotic liver, with subsequent development of diffuse cholangitis and multiple liver abscesses. Although percutaneous drainage and intensive antibiotic treatment were employed, the patient finally died. We discuss about the etiology and the physiopathology of this rare complication in which the therapeutic options are limited and usually unsuccessful.