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Sympathomimetic-induced kaleidoscopic visual illusion associated with a reversible splenium lesion
Heather Winslow1, Bruce Mickey, Elliot M Frohman
1Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
Archives of Neurology
|January 13, 2006
Summary
Sympathomimetic diet pills caused temporary brain lesions and visual disturbances in an adolescent. Stopping the medication resolved these symptoms and reversed the brain changes, suggesting a reversible metabolic derangement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Central nervous system metabolic derangements from sympathomimetics can cause reversible neurological and radiographic changes.
- Transient lesions in the corpus callosum splenium have been observed in association with these derangements.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old female experienced kaleidoscopic visual illusions while using diet pills containing sympathomimetics.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a transient lesion in the splenium of her corpus callosum.
Findings:
- Withdrawal from sympathomimetic diet pills led to the cessation of visual episodes.
- Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the normalization of the corpus callosum lesion after medication cessation.
Implications:
- Sympathomimetic use can induce reversible brain lesions and neurological symptoms, such as visual disturbances.
- The case suggests a potential link between sympathomimetic-induced metabolic changes, transient corpus callosum lesions, and visual phenomena, possibly related to migraine triggers.
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