Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jul 2017
Susac Syndrome: A differential diagnosis of white matter lesions.
Susac Syndrome is an autoimmune endotheliopathy affecting capillaries and precapillary arterioles of the brain, inner ear and retina. The classic symptom triad includes visual disturbances, hypoacusia, and encephalopathy, but is rarely fully manifest at onset. The syndrome typically follows an active fluctuating monophasic course. Typical imaging findings on brain magnetic resonance show central fiber microischemias/microinfarctions of the corpus callosum known as "snow balls", as well as lineal infarcts and upper callosal fiber involvement. Fluorescein angiography and tonal audiometry are important tools to confirm diagnosis, even in patients who are asymptomatic for visual or auditory disturbances. We describe 8 patients with Susac Syndrome treated at our center and compare findings to those of other published case series. ⋯ Susac Syndrome is probably both underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Early and aggressive immunosuppressive treatment is indicated in order to prevent potential disabilities.