Multiple sclerosis originating in childhood associated with seizures and hallucinations

Multiple sclerosis, is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms rarely begin before age 10 or after age 60.The presentation may vary from isolated motor or sensory impairment to seizures or psychotic disturbances. This case report presents a 7-year-old male who complained of double vision, paralysis of the right face and imbalance. At that time the patient had supranuclear facial palsy, mild ataxia, diplopia and horizontal nystagmus. Head CT scan showed nodular densities with low attenuation areas in the white matter of the left frontal and left parietal lobes compatible with multiple sclerosis. At 12 years of age the patient presented dizziness, diplopia, and weakness of right extremities. At 24 years of age he developed seizures and visual and auditory hallucinations. By age 28 the patient was admitted with a sudden onset of paraparesis. Extensive subcortical and periventricular white matter changes were demonstrated by MRI on February 7, 2004. This case, with symptoms beginning at a very young age, demonstrates a wide range of the presentations of multiple sclerosis: motor impairments, seizures and hallucinations.