title: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: a 70-year-old man with ataxia, depression and visual deficits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSNS) is caused by cerebral, cerebellar and spinal cord tissue deposition of hemosiderin, often related to repeated episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Typical symptoms include ataxia, sensorineural deafness and dementia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An elderly patient with SSNS presenting with ataxia, depression and severe visual impairment was admitted to the Unit of Geriatrics of the University Hospital of Perugia, Italy. Late diagnosis and the association of symptoms with SSNS prevented the possible surgical treatment of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognition of uncommon clinical variants may facilitate early diagnosis of SSNS and improve therapeutic results.
authors: Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Perugia University Hospital, AO Perugia, Italy. polidori@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Polidori
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pelliccioli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Catani
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Finali
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Senin
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mecocci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012806:Siderosis / Q000209:etiology*