Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System. Issue 1 (1st February 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fearnley, Julian
• Is Part Of: Practical neurology. Volume 2:Issue 1(2002)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2002-02-01
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1474-7766.2002.00307.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7758

Abstract

Abstract : Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare disorder, which is the consequence of chronic subarachnoid haemorrhage. Brain MR scan (Fig. 1) shows a characteristic marginal low T2 -weighted signal of haemosiderin around the surface of the CNS, and has made antemortem diagnosis of this condition possible. Clinically, the cardinal features are progressive sensorineural deafness and cerebellar ataxia. Other features include myelopathy, polyradiculopathy, anosmia and dementia. The only effective way of treating the disorder is to identify the source of bleeding and remove it (Fearnley et al . 1995). PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Superficial siderosis of the CNS is a direct result of chronic subarachnoid haemorrhage with free iron in the CSF causing a chain of events leading to neuronal death, gliosis and haemosiderin deposition. It is the chronicity of the bleeding that is crucial to the development of superficial siderosis and the syndrome does not occur after a single bleed. It