Triad of visual, auditory and corticospinal tract lesions: a new syndrome in a patient with HIV infection

AIDS. 2011 Mar 13;25(5):659-63. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e328342fc05.

Abstract

Objective: A case of a rapidly progressive degeneration of the visual, auditory and corticospinal tract in a patient with a HIV infection is presented.

Methods and results: The HIV-infected patient suffered from severe and rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss, blindness, dysarthria, dysphagia and tetraparesis. MRI showed degeneration of the visual, auditory and corticospinal tract. Diffusion tensor imaging showed reduced fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract. HAART and other salvage therapies did not save the patient from death 5 months after the onset of the symptoms.

Conclusion: The triad of auditory, visual and corticospinal lesions has been described in rare syndromes and hereditary diseases. This is the first case of this syndrome associated with a HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / pathology
  • Pyramidal Tracts / pathology*
  • Sensation Disorders / etiology
  • Sensation Disorders / pathology*
  • Syndrome