Superficial siderosis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Superficial siderosis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hearing loss, ataxia, myelopathy
Complications	Dementia, spasticity
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Chronic subarachnoid hemorrhage
Risks	Head trauma, neurosurgery, vascular malformations
Diagnosis	MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis
Differential diagnosis	Multiple sclerosis, Friedreich's ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Iron chelation therapy, surgical repair of bleeding source
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, often progressive
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Superficial siderosis is a rare neurological condition characterized by the deposition of hemosiderin, an iron-storage complex, on the surface of the brain, spinal cord, and cranial nerves. This condition is typically associated with chronic bleeding into the subarachnoid space, leading to the accumulation of iron deposits over time.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of superficial siderosis involves the chronic leakage of blood into the subarachnoid space. The breakdown of blood cells releases iron, which is then deposited as hemosiderin on the pia mater and other neural tissues. This deposition can lead to progressive neurological damage due to the toxic effects of iron on neural tissues.

Clinical Features

Patients with superficial siderosis often present with a triad of symptoms:

• Sensorineural hearing loss: This is the most common symptom and is usually bilateral and progressive.
• Cerebellar ataxia: Patients may experience difficulty with balance and coordination.
• Myelopathy: This can lead to weakness and sensory disturbances in the limbs.

Other symptoms may include anosmia, bladder dysfunction, and cognitive decline.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of superficial siderosis is primarily made through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which reveals a characteristic hypointense rim on T2-weighted images due to the presence of hemosiderin. The MRI image provided shows the typical appearance of hemosiderin deposition in the brain.

Treatment

Treatment options for superficial siderosis are limited. The primary goal is to identify and stop the source of bleeding. Surgical intervention may be necessary if a source of bleeding, such as a dural tear or vascular malformation, is identified. Chelation therapy with agents like deferiprone has been explored to remove excess iron, but its efficacy is still under investigation.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with superficial siderosis varies. Early diagnosis and intervention to stop the source of bleeding can help prevent further neurological deterioration. However, once significant neurological damage has occurred, it may be irreversible.

See Also

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Cerebellar ataxia
• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Magnetic resonance imaging