Acute Neurological Complications of Rhabdomyolysis: A Case of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Military Personnel

July 7, 2026

Annals Of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Objective:

To present a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) as a rare neurological complication of rhabdomyolysis in a military service member.

Approach:

Case Presentation: A 19-year-old active-duty service member developed acute neurologic symptoms while being treated for rhabdomyolysis after intense physical training.
Clinical Evaluation: The patient exhibited severe headaches, blurred vision, and elevated blood pressure, leading to a diagnosis of PRES confirmed by MRI.
Management: The patient was treated with IV fluids, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications, resulting in symptom resolution and improved renal function.

Key Findings:

PRES can occur as a rare complication of rhabdomyolysis, particularly in military personnel due to high physical exertion.
The patient's symptoms included severe headaches, vision changes, and confusion, which were consistent with PRES.
MRI findings confirmed the diagnosis of PRES, showing bicortical posterior predominant diffusion restriction.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

The case report is based on a single patient, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The mechanisms of PRES in the context of rhabdomyolysis are not fully understood.