Treatment of superficial siderosis with iron chelation therapy. (9th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cummins, Gemma; Crundwell, Gemma; Baguley, David; Lennox, Graham
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2013
• Publication Date: 2013-07-09
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Superficial siderosis is caused by recurrent haemorrhage in the subarachnoid space leading to haemosiderin deposition. It typically causes the triad of ataxia, deafness and myelopathy. We report a patient who developed superficial siderosis following neurosurgery for syringomyelia and who had an improvement in his hearing and mobility following treatment with a new iron chelation therapy that can penetrate the blood–brain barrier. It provides an intriguing insight into a therapy that could potentially modify the course of this rare neurodegenerative disorder. Further studies are required to assess the clinical efficacy of deferiprone in superficial siderosis.