Brainstem ischemic syndrome in juvenile NF2

John W. Henson, Tara Benkers, Connor McCormick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new case of brainstem ischemic necrosis in a young woman with de novo neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is reported, and given notable similarities to 7 prior cases of brainstem stroke in the literature, features defining a possible syndrome were sought. Methods Case review including detailed clinical assessment, neuroimaging analysis, genetic testing, and brain biopsy, followed by a multicase analysis. Results Brainstem ischemia in juvenile NF2 typically occurs in teenagers without previously known NF2 as an acute, monophasic presentation with restricted diffusion in the midbrain or pons following a recent hypoperfusion event, normal vascular imaging, obvious intracranial imaging features of NF2, typical inactivating NF2 alterations, biopsy showing necrosis without small vessel pathology, and subsequent aggressive NF2 lesion progression. Conclusions Brainstem ischemia in juvenile NF2 is a rare syndrome of unclear etiology, possibly reflecting an unknown underlying vascular abnormality; a digenic effect is not excluded.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere446
JournalNeurology: Genetics
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Genetics(clinical)

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