Headache in a young woman: do not forget Susac's syndrome

Reumatismo. 2017 Sep 21;69(3):122-125. doi: 10.4081/reumatismo.2017.995.

Abstract

Susac syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss. This underdiagnosed condition needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a broad variety of disorders. An early diagnosis is important as treatment can halt disease progression and prevent permanent disability. Herein, we report a case of Susac syndrome in a 31-year-old woman and we highlight how challenging an early diagnosis was and the importance of an aggressive therapeutic approach, including the combination of steroids and other cytotoxic drugs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Corpus Callosum / diagnostic imaging
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology
  • Hearing Loss, Unilateral / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Neuroimaging
  • Susac Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Susac Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Susac Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Vision Disorders / etiology
  • White Matter / diagnostic imaging
  • White Matter / pathology

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone