Characteristics of Susac syndrome: A review of all reported cases. 33. Susac's Syndrome | Cedars-Sinai Additional testing may include a hearing exam to check for hearing loss and a cerebrospinal fluid analysis to look for high levels of inflammatory proteins specific to SuS. Commonly, the three main features (encephalopathy, branch retinal arterial occlusions and hearing loss) are not all present at disease onset, and all three do not necessarily develop in all patients. Visual disturbance (described as a dark shade or curtain drawn over part of my vision). There have been no randomized controlled trials or prospective treatment studies. In Susac syndrome, your immune system attacks the smallest blood vessels in your brain, retina (part of the eye), and inner ear. To date, no clinical trials have been developed for the treatment of Susac syndrome. JD has received research support from Bayer and Novartis, travel grants from Bayer, Novartis, Biogen, Merck Serono, and honoraria for lectures and advisory by Bayer, Novartis, Biogen, Merck Serono, Roche, Sanofi Genzyme. In SuS, there are findings of mild lymphocytic pleocytosis, an elevation of the total protein up to 2 g/dL, and signs of a disruption of the blood CSF barrier are frequent and oligoclonal bands are not common.2,23,24 A recent study has shown that in contrast to MS no plasmacytoid cells occur in the CSF of SuS patients, whereas proportions of activated cytotoxic CD8 T cells are elevated.10, Fluorescein angiography is the standard for detecting BRAOs and arterial wall hyperfluorescence in the acute phase of SuS (Figure 2). Gross CC, Meyer C, Bhatia U, et al. Retinal fluorescein angiography of right eye of a person with Susac syndrome shows a branch retinal artery occlusion (arrow) and a hyperfluorescence (arrowhead) of a peripapillary nasal vessel. Retinocochleocerebral vasculopathy. Neurology. Fialho D, Holmes P, Riordan-Eva P, Silber E. A blinding headache falling on deaf ears (Susacs syndrome). Susac JO, Egan RA, Rennebohm RM, Lubow M. Susacs syndrome: 1975-2005 microangiopathy/autoimmune endotheliopathy. The condition most often affects the smallest blood vessels in the brain, eye and inner ear, and can cause the blood vessels to become blocked. 2004;25:351-352. Because symptoms of SuS are similar to several other diseases, including multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, and meningitis, your healthcare provider may consider additional testing to rule out other conditions. Susa'sc syndrome tends to be a self-limiting condition in that for most people, it can be treated with no severe, long-lasting harm. BMC Neurol. Susac's syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes the body's natural defenses to behave as if there were an infection or injury when there is none. NORD strives to open new assistance programs as funding allows. Susac Syndrome - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD Susac syndrome. Some autoimmune diseases are inherited. However . Susac Syndrome: Clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings and Turc G, Monnet D, Dupin N, et al. Brain biopsies demonstrate microinfarcts with loss of neurons, axons, and myelin, and arterial vessel wall proliferation. Susac JO. Rennebohm RM, Asdaghi N, Srivastava S, Gertner E. Guidelines for treatment of Susac syndrome - an update. Recurrence of Susac syndrome following 23 years of remission. Neurology. 2016;95(43):e5223. An official website of the United States government. Max Delbrck Center for Molecular Medicine
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. Brain symptoms (these are the most common first symptoms): Most people with Susac syndrome do not have symptoms from the brain, eyes, and inner ear at the same time. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes are typical for a sterile central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Am J Ophthalmol. Before At the time of disease onset, the complete triad is only present in a minority . Treatment of Susac Syndrome | SpringerLink Early and aggressive treatment is needed to treat Susac's syndrome, regardless of whether you experience one set of symptoms, two, or all three. Vodopivec I, Prasad S. Treatment of Susac syndrome. Curr Treat Options Neurol. These cells accumulate in microvessels near endothelial cells, where they most likely cause injury. 1998;105(6):1038-1044. [1][2], Vestibulocochlear manifestations typically involve bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, though unilateral hearing loss may also occur. J Med Case Rep. 2023 Apr 13;17(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s13256-023-03838-9. 9. The vestibular apparatus, which is also located in the inner ear, can also be affected by the microvascular endotheliopathy of Susac syndrome, resulting in vertigo (dizziness). Susac syndrome classically consists of a clinical triad of: acute or subacute encephalopathy which could manifest in a broad spectrum of symptoms, e.g. Guidelines for treatment of Susac syndrome - An update official website and that any information you provide is encrypted https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and-families/information-resources/info-clinical-trials-and-research-studies/, For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact: 1994;44(4):591-593. Zacharia JA, Chin AT, Rebhun CB, et al. Early Presentation of Susac Syndrome in a 7 Year Old. Behavioral Impairment and Amnesia at the Onset of Susac Syndrome. . [8], Prognosis for SS is generally favorable with CNS and visual symptoms typically resolving with some compensation. Diagnostic criteria for Susac syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing or minimizing irreversible damage to the brain, eyes, and ears, preventing new disease signs, and improving existing symptoms. However, because the disorder often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed, determination of the true frequency of Susac syndrome in the general population has been difficult. American Academy of Ophthalmology. International Journal of Stroke. 24. Ruhr-University
[1][3], The differential diagnosis for SS includes, but is not limited to, multiple sclerosis, various vasculidities, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) as these are common misdiagnoses. IVIG and plasmapheresis may also be a beneficial adjunct. Quincy, MA 02169 Neurology. Monitoring with routine brain MRI and FA for relapse during remission is crucial prior to stopping treatment. Epub 2012 May 27. 2017;17(1):103. SS has a slight female predominance and typically affects those aged 16-40 years, with extremes ranging from 7 to 72 years[5]. Susacs syndrome: the triad of microangiopathy of the brain and retina with hearing loss in young women. Susac's syndrome: an update | British Journal of Ophthalmology Increased visibility of the leptomeninges, the tissue that covers the brain. Establishment of the diagnosis is often delayed because the triad is complete only in a minority of patients at disease onset. Dorr J, Krautwald S, Wildemann B, et al. Presenting symptoms can be from any of the three affected areas, but brain symptoms are the most common first symptom. In many patients, headaches (including migraine-like headaches) precede the development of other symptoms of Susac syndrome. It causes the network of small blood vessels in your inner ear, retina and brain to become blocked. McLeod DS, Ying HS, McLeod CA, et al. This testing may include bloodwork and other types of imaging studies, including X-ray and computerized tomography (CT). Pract Neurol. TREATMENTS. During the 35-month follow-up period, seven study participants developed all three symptom sets, and the average time for full disease onset was determined to be seven months.. Dsseldorf, Germany
4. 1779 Massachusetts Avenue Phone: 203-744-0100 2012;18(11):1592-1599. These Gass plaques are sites of past injury to the endothelium and do not have to be associated at the location of the BRAO. Some people may never experience all three phases of SuS. The dosage of medications can be decreased once there is symptom improvement. Neurol. Dsseldorf, Germany, Department of Ophthalmology
[Epub ahead of print]. In Susac syndrome, your bodys own immune system attacks the smallest blood vessels in your brain, retina (part of the eye) and inner ear. Treatment of Susacs syndrome. [1][2] During the acute phase of SS, FA may reveal BRAO and/or multifocal AWH.2,3 Gass plaques, which appear as small yellow dots in retinal arteriole walls between bifurcations, may also be detected. 2010; 299(1-2): 86-91. Dysfunction of the bladder and bowel may also be present. Both eyes can be affected in individuals with Susac syndrome. Introduction. Kleffner I, Dorr J, Duning T, Young P, Ringelstein EB, Schilling M. Susac syndrome treated with subcutaneous immunoglobulin. Magn Reson Imaging. Symptoms of CNS dysfunction are the most common initial manifestation, followed by visual, then vestibulocochlear symptoms. www.centerwatch.com, For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact: Although it is a rare disease, three reasons make it important. Smart Business Great Medicine: Where Is the Money? A complete neurological and ophthalmological examination is essential to making the diagnosis of Susac syndrome. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. 34. Accessed 11/18/2021. Sign up to receive new issue alerts and news updates from Practical Neurology. Doreen Ho, MD; Vincent Picher-Martel, MD, PhD; Sarah Luppino, NP; Katherine M. Burke, PT, DPT; and Stacey Sullivan, SLP, Carrie Dougherty, MD, FAHS; and Minal Patel, DO, Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS; Krithi Nathan, BS; and Roni Sharon, MD, Michael J. Schneck, MD; Amna Siddiqui, MD; and Adam Wadina, MD, Liqi Shu, MD; Mu Ji Hwang, MD; Fransisca Indraswari, MD; and Shadi Yaghi, MD. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7713/disease). These headaches may precede presenting symptoms by several months. Multiple Scler. Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences (Second Edition). 1. Migraines may herald and accompany enc. This is because the disorder may be misdiagnosed, often as atypical multiple sclerosis. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer Get our Free Anti-Inflammatory Recipe eBook today! An Introduction to Susac Syndrome - U.S. Pharmacist 2002;2:358-361. 2011;302(1-2):126-128. 2019. 7. Meniere disease is a disorder that affects the inner ear. 23. Ringelstein M, Albrecht P, Kleffner I, et al., Retinal Pathology in Susac Syndrome detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. But the outlook for most people who develop Susac's syndrome tends to be positive. J Neurol Sci. 2010;299:86-91. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.032, Jarius S, Kleffner I, Drr JM, Sastre-Garriga J, Illes Z, Eggenberger E, Chalk C, Ringelstein M, Aktas O, Montalban X, Fechner K, Stcker W, Ringelstein EB, Paul F, Wildemann B. The other forms tend to follow a more prolonged, more chronic or more recurrent course (for 3-10 years or more). MRI findings in Susacs syndrome. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to repair or reverse any existing neurological, vision, or hearing damage. Find information and tools about neurological diseases to assist patients and caregivers. In conclusion, SuS is a rare autoimmune disease with characteristic clinical and paraclinical features, which is important to differentiate from MS and other types of vasculitis. TTY: (866) 411-1010 Otol Neurotol. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 2023 Apr 25;15(4):e38089. 16. Bullock DR, Spencer RT, Vehe RK, Srivastava S, Rennebohm RM. Cases of death have been described in individuals with SuS, but death is not caused by the disease but rather by treatment complications.13,14, The most important differential diagnosis is multiple sclerosis (MS), because age of onset, female preponderance, and callosal brain lesions occur in both diseases. Recurrence of Susac Syndrome (Retinocochleocerebral Vasculopathy) After Autoimmune means that a persons own immune system is mistakenly attacking its own tissue. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/. Susac syndrome is the result of your own immune system attacking endothelial cells the cells that line the inner walls of your blood vessels in your brain, retina and inner ear. Skin involvement in Susacs syndrome. Susac syndrome is an autoimmune diseasespecifically, an autoimmune endotheliopathy. Imaging for SuS may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment of Susac syndrome is particularly challenging. Susac syndrome is an autoimmune endotheliopathy, a disorder in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the inside lining (endothelium) of the walls of the very tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, retina and inner ear. Susac Syndrome: Description of a Single-Centre Case Series. Adding to the challenge is the absence of objective biomarkers of disease activity and the great variability in presentation, timing and extent of peak severity, duration of peak severity, and natural disease course. Long-term outcome in Susac syndrome. A Podcast For The Rare Disease Community, Rare Disease Cures Accelerator (RDCA-DAP), Policy Statements & Letters to Policymakers, Stay Informed With NORDs Email Newsletter, Launching Registries & Natural History Studies, https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and-families/information-resources/info-clinical-trials-and-research-studies/, http://novel.utah.edu/diseases/rare-registry/view/Susac_Syndrome, http://www.orpha.net//consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?lng=EN&Expert=838, https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/, https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/, https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/, Learn more about Patient Assistance Programs >, Learn more about Patient Organization & Membership >. Int J Stroke 2020;15(5):484-494. In severe cases, seizures or coma may develop. Please note that NORD provides this information for the benefit of the rare disease community. However, all three features may not be present concurrently upon initial presentation. Department of Neurology
Dorr J, et al. Susac JO. Four months prior to this visit, she was . The medical term for these symptoms is scotoma. These symptoms are due to injury to the retina, because of blocked blood flow. 1994;44:591-593. Susacs Syndrome Update. 28. How to Talk About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Otologic manifestations of Susac syndrome, Susac syndrome: clinical characteristics, clinical classification, and long-term prognosis, Recurrence of Susac syndrome following 23 years of remission, Problems with thinking, short-term memory loss, confusion, and problem-solving, Mood problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, and aggression, Visual disturbances described as a dark shade or curtains over part of the vision. It usually runs a course of 1-3 years, during which time individuals may experience fluctuating levels of symptoms (relapsing-remitting). Infarction of these regions plays an important role in the clinical presentation of Susac syndrome. Neurology. In one form, encephalopathy is the main problem. 2022 Nov;43(11):6449-6460. doi: 10.1007/s10072-022-06320-4. Susac Syndrome - EyeWiki Sagittal T2-weighted brain MRI in Susac syndrome demonstrating typical snowball lesions in the center of the corpus callosum. Ilka Kleffner, MD; Catharina C. Gross, PhD; Marius Ringelstein, MD; Jrg Rehrmann, MD; Markus Kraemer, MD; and Jan Drr, MD. OHalloran HS, Pearson PA, Lee WB, Susac JO, Berger JR. Microangiopathy of the brain, retina, and cochlea (Susac syndrome). Patients often continue to have 20/20 vision even after BRAOs. Suite 500 Susac's syndrome (SS) consists of the triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions (BRAO), and hearing loss. Susac JO, Hardman JM, Selhorst JB. Susac's syndrome consists of the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery (BRAO) occlusion and sensorineural hearing loss. Your support helps to ensure everyones free access to NORDs rare disease reports. The course of this disease is variable; it may advance, relapse, remit or stabilize. Women are affected three times more often than men. Others only experience a mild form of the disease for their entire lives. [2][3], In a small case series the authors found that retinal collaterals can be present after long term follow up in patients with BRAO in Susac disease, they are usually arterio-arterial (A-A) collaterals and rarely arterio-venous (A-V) collaterals and are suspected to arise secondary to the influence of chronic inflammation[9]. Other names for the syndrome are: SICRET small infarctions of the cochlear, retinal and encephalic tissue, and RED-M microangiopathy with retinopathy, encephalopathy and deafness. J Neurol Sci. Patients must rely on the personal and individualized medical advice of their qualified health care professionals before seeking any information related to their particular diagnosis, cure or treatment of a condition or disorder. 20. An MRI image for someone with SuS will show changes in the brain, especially in the corpus callosumthe part of the brain connecting the left side to the right side. memory impairment, confusion, behavioral disturbances, ataxia, dysarthria, paranoid psychosis, and headaches 1-8. Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare condition characterized by a clinical triad of sensorineural hearing loss, branch artery occlusion and encephalopathy.