Susac syndrome: a vasospastic disorder?

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2001 Apr-Jun;11(2):175-9. doi: 10.1177/112067210101100213.

Abstract

Purpose: The Susac syndrome is a microangiopathy that leads to visual symptoms, hearing loss and neurological symptoms.

Case report: We report on a young woman suffering from this syndrome who also presented the following signs and symptoms typical of a vasospastic syndrome; 1) a history of cold hands, low blood pressure and migraine; 2) a typical alteration of conjunctival vessels; 3) prolonged flow arrest time after cooling in nailfold capillaromicroscopy; 4) increased resistivity in the orbital vessels measured by color Doppler imaging; and 5) an increased plasma level of endothelin-1.

Conclusions: We postulate that the Susac syndrome is a manifestation of the vasospastic syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Capillaries / pathology
  • Endothelin-1 / blood
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / blood
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Nails / blood supply
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / blood
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / etiology*
  • Syndrome
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / blood
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / complications*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / diagnosis
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Endothelin-1