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. 2004 May;25(5):706–713.

TABLE 1:

Clinical histories and presentations in patients with Susac syndrome

Clinical course Symptoms MR Examination Auditory Findings Retinal Findings Treatment*
Patient 1
 Initial admission, 2 wk after onset Headaches, vomiting, R arm feeling loss, impaired balance, urinary incontinence, dysarthria, decreased attention span, gait ataxia 2 wk after onset Normal R branch retinal artery occlusion IV SoluMedrol 1 g/d × 5, IVIG 0.4 g/d × 5, prednisone 60 mg/d (with taper)
 Symptom relapse, 8 wk after initial onset Headaches, cognitive decline, clumsiness, worsened gait ataxia, upper extremity ataxia 8 and 10 wk after initial onset L high-frequency hearing loss New L branch retinal artery occlusion IVIG 0.4 g/d × 5, prednisone 50 mg/d (with taper)
 Stable condition, 8–9 mo after initial onset Difficult in tandem walking, mild dysmetria 8 mo after initial onset No change No new occlusion Prednisone 20 mg/d
Patient 2
 Initial admission, 2 wk after onset Headaches, R partial vision loss 2 wk after onset Normal R branch retinal artery occlusion Aspirin
 Symptom relapse, 6 wk after initial onset Headaches, R face and arm numbness 6 wk after initial onset Normal New L branch retinal artery occlusion IV methylprednisolone 1 g × 1, prednisone 80 mg/d (with taper)
 Symptom relapse, 4 mo after initial onset L arm parethesias, R extremity weakness, staggering walking 4 mo after initial onset R partial hearing loss New R/L branch retinal artery occlusion IVIG 0.4 g/d × 5 (monthly basis for 4 consecutive mo), prednisone 60 mg/d (with taper)
 Worsening symptoms, 11 mo after initial onset Worsening in vision, poor concentration, confusion, impaired balance 11 mo after initial onset No change No change IVIG 0.4 gm/d × 5 (almost every 6–8 wk for 1 y)
 Stable condition, 2 y later Mild ataxia, poor tandem Normal Normal

Note.—IV indicates intravenous; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin.