Cough syncope: the possible relation to hydrocephalus ex vacuo

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cough syncope is a transient loss of consciousness triggered by coughing.
• The underlying pathophysiology of cough syncope remains incompletely understood.
• Potential contributing factors include cardiovascular and neurological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential structural brain differences in patients experiencing cough syncope.
• To compare pneumoencephalographic findings in cough syncope patients versus other syncope etiologies.

Main Methods:

• Pneumoencephalography was performed on five male patients diagnosed with cough syncope.
• Data were compared to age-matched control subjects with syncope from different causes.
• Statistical analysis focused on ventricular dimensions, specifically the 3rd ventricle width.

Main Results:

• Patients with cough syncope exhibited a significantly larger 3rd ventricle width compared to the control group (p < 0.01).
• This finding suggests a potential association between ventricular size and cough syncope.

Conclusions:

• Hydrocephalus ex vacuo, indicated by enlarged ventricles, may contribute to the development of cough syncope.
• Possible mechanisms include increased sensitivity to coughing-induced physiological changes or impaired inhibitory reflexes.