Headache in a young woman: do not forget Susac’s syndrome

Abstract

Susac syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss. This underdiagnosed condition needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a broad variety of disorders. An early diagnosis is important as treatment can halt disease progression and prevent permanent disability. Herein, we report a case of Susac syndrome in a 31-year-old woman and we highlight how challenging an early diagnosis was and the importance of an aggressive therapeutic approach, including the combination of steroids and other cytotoxic drugs.

Keywords

• Susac’s syndrome
• Headache
• Young woman.