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Susac syndrome: a vasospastic disorder?
J Flammer1, H Kaiser, T Haufschild
1University Eye Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland. Josef.Flammer@unibas.ch
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 18, 2001
Summary
Susac syndrome, a microangiopathy causing vision, hearing, and neurological issues, may be a manifestation of vasospastic syndrome. This finding suggests a potential link between these neurological and vascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Susac syndrome is a rare microangiopathy characterized by visual disturbances, hearing loss, and neurological deficits.
- Microangiopathies affect small blood vessels, leading to various systemic symptoms.
Observation:
- A case study of a young woman with Susac syndrome presented with symptoms indicative of a vasospastic syndrome.
- These symptoms included a history of cold extremities, hypotension, migraine, conjunctival vessel alterations, and prolonged vascular flow arrest after cooling.
- Further observations included increased resistivity in orbital vessels via Doppler imaging and elevated endothelin-1 plasma levels.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited a constellation of symptoms aligning with both Susac syndrome and vasospastic syndrome.
- Specific diagnostic markers for vasospastic syndrome were present, alongside the characteristic features of Susac syndrome.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential pathophysiological link between Susac syndrome and vasospastic syndrome.
- Further research into vasospastic mechanisms may elucidate the underlying causes of Susac syndrome and inform treatment strategies.