Birch, Barry D.

When coupled with classical clinical signs and symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging can significantly aid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is large and, in the absence of pathognomonic clinical features, can be challenging to diagnose initially. Some conditions, such as primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), can mimic clinically some of the symptoms prominent in multiple sclerosis. Early treatment with corticosteroids can dramatically improve patient symptoms in MS and PCNSL. We report a case of a man diagnosed with histologically confirmed relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who subsequently developed histologically confirmed primary central nervous system lymphoma. Immunosuppressant therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis may be a potential catalyst in the development of central nervous system lymphoma. The course of his disease and treatment are presented and the current literature reviewed.

Object Meige syndrome is characterized by blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, and facial oromandibular dystonia. The medical treatment of this condition is largely unsuccessful over time and is a major source of decreased quality of life in those patients suffering from this disease. Recent advances in the application of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery techniques for many disorders have prompted several recent reports of DBS for medically refractory cases of Meige syndrome. While the etiology for this disorder is unknown, it is considered by many investigators to be a form of idiopathic torsion dystonia. Pallidal stimulation is widely considered to be effective for dystonia. Methods The authors report the long-term results of bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) or subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation in 3 patients with Meige syndrome and 1 patient with Parkinson disease and associated craniofacial dystonia treated at their center. Results Initial 12-month and long-term follow-up Burke-Fahn-Marsden scores were substantially improved in all 4 patients compared with preoperative scores. Conclusions Bilateral GPi DBS may be an effective and safe treatment for medically refractory Meige syndrome. The results are comparable with those reported in the literature. Sustained and long-term improvement in symptoms does appear to be reproducible across reports. The authors' patient with Parkinson disease and associated craniofacial dystonia syndrome undergoing bilateral STN DBS noted immediate and sustained improvement in his symptoms. Further study is required, but these results, along with the other reports, suggest that bilateral GPi DBS is an effective treatment for medically refractory Meige syndrome.