Ophthalmoplegia: an unusual manifestation of hypocalcemia

Paroxysmal strabismus and stridor acquired in childhood: Do not overlook calcemia!

Hypocalcemia is known to induce stridor but was rarely reported to cause strabismus. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with paroxysmal stridor and strabismus with diplopia, persisting for several weeks. Severe hypocalcemia (1.25 mmol/L) was finally diagnosed and was related to hypoparathyroidism, which was the first manifestation of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) in this patient. Strabismus and stridor both resolved after normalization of calcemia. This case report is a rare observation of paroxysmal strabismus caused by hypocalcemia and it highlights the importance of calcium monitoring in any situation of atypical neurological symptoms.

The neurologic complications of bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery has been increasingly employed to manage morbid obesity. Approximately 150000 bariatric procedures are performed in the US annually. Neurologic complications arise in as many as 5% of individuals having this surgery. Although the etiology of some of these complications remains obscure, the majority are the consequence of vitamin (most commonly thiamine and vitamin B12) or mineral (most commonly copper) deficiency and familiarity with these disorders is essential. Their rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential to avoid long-term, irreversible consequences including, in some instances, death.

The Neurological Complications of Nutritional Deficiency following Bariatric Surgery

Neurologic complications of bariatric surgery have become increasingly recognized with the rising numbers of procedures and the increasing prevalence of obesity in the US. Deficits are most commonly seen with thiamine, vitamin B(12), folate, vitamin D, vitamin E, and copper deficiencies. The neurological findings observed with these nutritional deficiencies are variable and include encephalopathy, optic neuropathy, myelopathy, polyradiculoneuropathy, and polyneuropathy. We review the neurological complications of bariatric surgery and emphasize that these findings may vary based on the specific type of bariatric surgery and time elapsed from the procedure.

Neurologic presentations of nutritional deficiencies

Optimal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system is dependent on a constant supply of appropriate nutrients. The first section of this review discusses neurologic manifestations related to deficiency of key nutrients such as vitamin B(12), folate, copper, vitamin E, thiamine, and others. The second section addresses neurologic complications related to bariatric surgery. The third sections includes neurologic presentations caused by nutrient deficiencies in the setting of alcoholism. The concluding section addresses neurologic deficiency diseases that have a geographic predilection.

Nutritional neuropathies

Optimal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system is dependent on appropriate nutrients. Neurologic consequences of nutritional deficiencies are not restricted to underdeveloped countries. Multiple nutritional deficiencies can coexist. Obesity is of particular concern in the developed world. The rising rate of bariatric surgery are accompanied by neurologic complications related to nutrient deficiencies. Prognosis depends on prompt recognition and institution of appropriate therapy. This review discusses peripheral nervous system manifestations related to the deficiency of key nutrients, neurologic complications associated with bariatric surgery, and conditions that have a geographic significance associated with bariatric surgery and certain conditions that have a geographic predilection.

Bilateral thalamic infarction in a patient with factor V Leiden mutation

In a 50-year-old unresponsive man with ophthalmoplegia, bilateral thalamic infarction was detected on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. A thorough evaluation, including urinalysis, laboratory studies, computed tomography of the brain, chest radiography, lumbar puncture, magnetic resonance angiography, cerebral angiography, carotid ultrasonography, and transesophageal echocardiography, revealed no obvious predisposing factors other than heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral thalamic infarction associated with factor V Leiden mutation. Physicians should consider the possibility of this mutation in patients with ischemic stroke if no other source is evident.