Abstract
Susac syndrome is a rare neurologic disorder first described by Susac et al. in 1979.
Clinically, Susac syndrome consists of a triad including encephalopathy, branch retinal
artery occlusions and sensorineural hearing loss. All three components of the triad
usually do not present at the same time, thus delaying time to diagnosis. MRI studies
often show characteristic punched out lesions of the central fibers of the corpus
callosum. Intracranial leptomeningeal enhancement may be seen, however, cauda equina
involvement has not been described to our knowledge. We present a case of Susac syndrome
in a middle-aged male with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, and spinal MRI showing
diffuse enhancement of the nerve roots of the cauda equina.
Abbreviations:
ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis), BRAOs (branch retinal artery occlusions), CT (computed tomography), CMV (Cytomegalovirus), HSV (herpes simplex virus), IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), MPRAGE (Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo), MS (multiple sclerosis), PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-CT), VZV (varicella zoster virus), WBC (white blood cell)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 11, 2013
Accepted:
June 18,
2013
Received in revised form:
June 12,
2013
Received:
May 7,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
