A syndrome of bilateral hemorrhage of the thalamus and myocarditis with fatal course.
We report the case of a 41-year-old patient with bilateral hemorrhage of the thalamus, leading to death. Post-mortem examination showed acute myocarditis. Neuropathological study showed perivascular infiltrates in affected thalamic regions. Laboratory investigation failed to find any causal agent. We hypothesize an infective agent, affecting the heart and thalamus, as the cause of this syndrome. Diaschisis due to the strategic anatomical position of the thalamus may have been responsible for coma state and death.
Malandrini
A
A
Department of Neurological and Behavioural Sciences, Neuroscience Section, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. malandrini@unisi.it
Luchini
D
D
Gambelli
S
S
Gaudiano
C
C
Berti
G
G
Salvadori
C
C
Serni
G
G
Valassina
M
M
Federico
A
A
Di Paolo
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000473:pathology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D013786:Thalamic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology*