Globus pallidus lesions associated with high mountain climbing.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurs commonly in hikers who are rapidly exposed to high altitude environments. Despite the numerous reports of AMS, few studies have reported pallidal lesions associated with altitude sickness. A previously healthy 49-yr-old Korean patient, after ascent to 4,700 m, suffered symptoms consistent with AMS. After returning home, the patient showed changes in personality characterized by abulia, indifference, and indecisiveness. T2 weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal lesions involving bilateral globus pallidus. Our case suggests that globus pallidus injury should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with personality or cognitive change after recovery from AMS.
Jeong
Jee Hyang
JH
Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. dukna@smc.samsung.co.kr
Kwon
Jay C
JC
Chin
Juhee
J
Yoon
Soo Jin
SJ
Na
Duk L
DL
D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000150:complications*; D001519:Behavior; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004777:Environment; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering