Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: a 70-year-old man with ataxia, depression and visual deficits.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSNS) is caused by cerebral, cerebellar and spinal cord tissue deposition of hemosiderin, often related to repeated episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Typical symptoms include ataxia, sensorineural deafness and dementia. METHODS AND RESULTS: An elderly patient with SSNS presenting with ataxia, depression and severe visual impairment was admitted to the Unit of Geriatrics of the University Hospital of Perugia, Italy. Late diagnosis and the association of symptoms with SSNS prevented the possible surgical treatment of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of uncommon clinical variants may facilitate early diagnosis of SSNS and improve therapeutic results.