Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Hypomagnesemia has been associated with various neurological symptoms including ataxia. Reversible changes in cerebellar function have been described due to hypertensive changes, eclampsia, and immunosuppressive therapy in the context of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. In this report we document isolated, reversible cerebellar findings with the corresponding neuroimaging correlates associated with critically low magnesium levels.
CASE REPORT
A 72-year-old male with metastatic colorectal cancer and short gut syndrome presented with subacute ataxia and cerebellar T2 hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient showed rapid clinical and radiologic improvement in his cerebellar findings after receiving only magnesium supplementation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our report suggests that low magnesium levels may mimic the vascular endothelial dysregulation that is seen in the context of rapid rises in blood pressure in both posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and eclampsia. This rare case suggests a potential role of magnesium in stabilizing the vascular endothelium and, when deficient, in contributing to cerebral edema of the posterior circulation territories.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Boulos MI, Shoamanesh A, Aviv RI, Gladstone DJ, Swartz RH

Institution

Department of Medicine (Neurology), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Source

The neurologist 18:4 2012 Jul pg 223-5

MeSH

Adenocarcinoma
Aged
Ataxia
Cerebellum
Colorectal Neoplasms
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Humans
Magnesium
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22735253