Reversible Foix-Chavany-Marie Syndrome in a patient treated for hydrocephalus

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Foix-Chavany-Marie Syndrome (FCMS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by facial diplegia, dysphagia, and dysarthria.
• Acute hydrocephalus is a condition of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure within the brain's ventricles, potentially causing neurological deficits.
• The interplay between FCMS and acute hydrocephalus has not been previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first known case of FCMS presenting secondary to acute hydrocephalus.
• To investigate the potential reversibility of FCMS following treatment of hydrocephalus.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a 34-year-old female patient with a history of pilocytic astrocytoma and prior ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
• Clinical presentation, neuroimaging (identifying acute hydrocephalus), and surgical intervention (ventriculoperitoneal shunting) were documented.
• Post-operative clinical course and recovery were monitored over two months.

Main Results:

• The patient developed acute hydrocephalus, leading to symptoms consistent with FCMS, including altered mental status, anarthria, and facial muscle stiffness.
• Following ventriculoperitoneal shunting and shunt revisions, the patient's neurological symptoms gradually improved.
• Full recovery to her pre-operative baseline was observed over a two-month period.

Conclusions:

• This case establishes a novel association between acute hydrocephalus and the development of Foix-Chavany-Marie Syndrome.
• The findings suggest that FCMS, when induced by hydrocephalus, may be a slowly reversible condition.
• Timely treatment of hydrocephalus is crucial for managing associated neurological syndromes like FCMS.