Spontaneous intracranial hypotension masquerading as frontotemporal dementia.
F.D. exhibited the cognitive and behavioral profile of frontotemporal dementia in the context of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Symptoms included orthostatic headache, as well as cognitive and personality changes. He underwent CT, EEG, and MRI as well as neuropsychological evaluations before and after corticosteroid treatment. The initial evaluation documented significant cognitive impairment with a predominance of executive dysfunction. Following treatment, a second evaluation revealed marked improvement in cognition and behavior. Rapid diagnosis and treatment can yield a favorable outcome. Both quantitative and qualitative information from measures of executive functioning were discussed, as well as their anatomical substrates.
Walker
L
L
Neuropsychology Service, The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus, Canada. lwalker@ottawahospital.on.ca
DeMeulemeester
C
C
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019585:Intracranial Hypotension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones