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Foreign accent syndrome as a first sign of multiple sclerosis
J B Chanson1, S Kremer, F Blanc
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Civil, 1 place de l'Hôpital, Strasbourg, France. jb.chanson@hotmail.fr
Background:
Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) consists of a speech rhythm disorder different from dysarthia or aphasia. It is unusually met in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective:
We report a case of FAS as an initial symptom of a MS.
Methods:
A right-handed French woman developed an isolated German foreign accent. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), SPECT and analysis of CSF were performed.
Results:
Brain MRI revealed a large hypersignal on T2-weighted images in the left prerolandic white matter. Single photon emission computed tomography showed a right prerolandic hypoperfusion. Unmatched oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and occurrence of new abnormal hypersignals on the following MRI led us to diagnose MS.
Conclusion:
FAS may be the first symptom of MS. It could result from extensive disturbances of brain function involving the right hemisphere.
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