Abstract
We report five cases of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. All patients developed progressive deafness and cerebellar ataxia associated with pyramidal tract signs or mental deterioration. The cerebrospinal fluid examinations usually revealed an elevated protein level, without other abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging typically showed a hypointense rim around the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, the brainstem and the spinal cord on T2-weighted images. A definite source of bleeding was only found in two patients. The literature on superficial siderosis is reviewed. The etiologies and the pathogenesis are discussed.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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English Abstract
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Brain / pathology*
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Brain Stem / pathology*
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Central Nervous System Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
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Central Nervous System Diseases / complications
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Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
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Cerebellar Ataxia / diagnosis
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Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
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Cerebellum / pathology*
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Deafness / diagnosis
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Deafness / etiology
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Female
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Hemosiderin / cerebrospinal fluid
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Humans
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Iron / cerebrospinal fluid
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Male
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Mental Disorders / etiology
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Middle Aged
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Siderosis / cerebrospinal fluid
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Siderosis / complications
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Siderosis / diagnosis*
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Spinal Cord / pathology*