[Cortical amaurosis and status epilepticus with acute porphyria]

The most common neurologic manifestations of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) are autonomic visceral neuropathy, peripheral motor neuropathy, and CNS dysfunctions including seizures and neuropsychiatric disturbances. In rare instances, however, AIP patients have presented with acute cortical blindness. We present a 20-year-old woman who suffered her first attack of AIP. Following 1 week of abdominal pain, she was transferred from a surgical department because of sudden visual loss and deterioration of consciousness. On admission, she developed several generalized seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral DWI lesions occipitally and in the left anterior circulation. Cerebrospinal fluid, MR angiography, and duplex ultrasound were normal. On the following day, sedation and intubation became necessary because of a generalized status epilepticus. Analysis of porphyrinogens in blood, urine and stool showed significantly elevated values. Intravenous therapy with häm-arginate was initiated and antiepileptic therapy was changed to gagabentine. Under this therapeutical regime she remained stable and extubation was possible 48 h later.