A Case Report of Homocystinuria With Dystonia and Stroke

Arezoo Rezazadeh1, Shahram Oveisgharan2, Gholamali Shahidi3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Valiasr Hospital, Khoramshahr, Iran.

Insights

This case study highlights homocystinuria, a rare genetic disorder. Early diagnosis and pyridoxine treatment can reverse neurological symptoms like dystonia, though vascular complications may persist.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Inherited homocystinuria is a rare autosomal recessive aminoacidopathy.
  • Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent severe neurologic and vascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of homocystinuria in a 9-year-old girl with sequential symptoms.
  • To investigate the effects of pyridoxine treatment on neurological and vascular complications.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case presentation.
  • Laboratory evaluation of serum homocysteine levels.
  • Neuroimaging (MRI/MRA) to assess brain structure and vasculature.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with lens dislocation, skeletal issues, and dystonia.
  • Severe hyperhomocysteinemia was confirmed.
  • Neuroimaging revealed white matter infarcts and carotid stenosis.
  • Pyridoxine treatment significantly improved dystonia but not carotid stenosis.

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine may exert both reversible functional and irreversible structural effects.
  • Pyridoxine can be effective in managing functional neurological deficits even at later stages.
  • Vascular complications like carotid stenosis may require different management strategies.

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