The clinical features and etiology analysis of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the clinical manifestation and imaging of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system and explore the potential etiology.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 7 patients diagnosed as superficial siderosis of the central nervous system in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2013 to November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The etiology and follow-up prognosis through phone call were analyzed.Results:There were 7 patients included (3 male and 4 female) with an average age of 53 years (41-58 years). The cardinal manifestations were sensorineural deafness (all 7 cases), cerebellar ataxia (all 7 cases) and pyramidal signs (all 7 cases). Dizziness (6 cases), bladder disturbance (5 cases), headache (3 cases), double vision (2 cases) and congnitive impairment (1 case) could also happen. Magnetic resonance imaging showed symmetrical well-defined curvilinear homogeneous low signal on T 2 or blood-sensitive sequences (T 2* gradient echo or susceptibility-weighted imaging) over the superficial surface of cerebellar, brain stem, and spinal cord or cranio-cervical junction. All the 7 patients showed cerebellar atrophy especially the upper vermis. The potential causes included trauma history in 3 cases, intraspinal fluid-filled collection which indicated dural defect or duropathologies in 3 cases, intraspinal mass in 1 case and vertebral and disc degeneration in all 7 patients. The 5 patients who successsfully got follow-up showed exacerbation of variable degree. Conclusions:Classical superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a rare disease with cardinal manifestation of progressive ataxia, sensorineural deafness and pyramidal signs. T 2WI of magnetic resonance imaging showing low signal over the superficial surface of cerebellar, brain stem, and spinal cord could indicate the diagnosis, and blood-sensitive sequences such as T 2* gradient echo or susceptibility-weighted imaging were more sensitive. Duropathologies or dural defect may be the most probable causes of the disease and should be examined and treated carefully.