A case of Susac syndrome

Susac syndrome is a readily recognized but often misdiagnosed disorder almost exclusively affecting women in the 20- to 40-year age range. Characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions, and sensorineural hearing loss, patients with Susac syndrome are often misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Unlike MS, however, the disease process extends over a 1- to 2-year period and then goes into remission. This presentation describes the progression of symptoms of a patient eventually diagnosed with Susac syndrome.