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Night terrors associated with thalamic lesion
Giancarlo Di Gennaro1, Alain Autret, Addolorata Mascia
1Epilepsy Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, IRCCS Neuromed, via Atinense, n 18,Pozzilli (IS) 86077, Italy. gdigennaro@neuromed.it
Summary
Adult-onset night terrors (NT) can rarely signal underlying neurological disease. This case highlights a thalamic lesion as a potential cause, emphasizing the need for brain MRI in new-onset NT.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Night terrors (NT) are typically associated with childhood onset.
- Adult-onset NT is less common and its underlying causes require investigation.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old woman presented with new-onset nocturnal episodes of sudden awakening with screaming and fear.
- These episodes occurred exclusively during sleep.
Findings:
- Videopolysomnography confirmed episodes suggestive of NT with significant sleep fragmentation.
- Brain MRI revealed a right thalamic lesion with increased T2 signal, indicative of a low-grade tumor.
Implications:
- This case suggests that adult-onset NT can be a rare symptom of neurological disorders, such as thalamic lesions.
- Neuroimaging, particularly MRI, is crucial for evaluating adult-onset NT to rule out underlying brain pathology.
- Thalamic dysfunction may disrupt arousal systems, contributing to the manifestation of NT.