Consciousness disturbance and poikilothermia revealing brain involvement in neuromyelitis optica

Yildiz O. K., Cevik S., Oztoprak İ.

Acta Neurologica Belgica, vol.112, no.2, pp.213-215, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 112 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s13760-012-0029-x
  • Journal Name: Acta Neurologica Belgica
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.213-215
  • Keywords: Brain lesions, Consciousness disturbance, Endocrinopathy, Hypothalamic lesions, Neuromyelitis optica, Poikilothermia
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A 21-year-old woman was admitted due to altered mental status and hypothermia. The patient had a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) for 12 years and she was positive for serum anti-aquaporin 4 antibody. On admission, physical examination revealed coma with decerebration rigidity and poikilothermia. Magnetic resonance images of the brain revealed widespread, gadolinium enhancing lesions in the periventricular areas and the diencephalic structures. Laboratory investigations revealed hyponatremia and hypothyroidism. The patient was treated with high dose steroids. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic brain lesions may develop in patients with NMO. However, poikilothermia has not been reported in patients with NMO before. © 2012 Belgian Neurological Society.