Aicardi syndrome in a 7-month-old girl with tonic seizures and skeletal defects: A case report

Abstract

Introductionand importance: Aicardi syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic syndrome characterized by a triad of features: agenesis or hypogenesis of corpus callosum, chorioretinal lacunae, and infantile spasms, along with other neurodevelopmental, ocular, craniofacial, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders. The precise etiology of AS is unknown, and establishing a diagnosis is challenging since it is an extremely rare syndrome and may mimic other congenital neurological defects. Case presentationA 2-month-old girl was brought to our hospital, she developed multiple episodes of generalized spasticity with hyperflexion of upper and lower extremities on trunk (tonic seizure), with fast jerking movements of the eye, with signs of Psychomotor Development delay. Clinical discussionOphthalmic examination showed bilateral medial strabismus without nystagmus, Retinal examination showed bilateral small peripapillary well-circumscribed chorioretinal lacunae with hyperpigmented borders, thoracic spine x-ray (AP view) showed hemivertebrae and loss of height in the 7th and 8th thoracic vertebral body. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed grey matter heterotopia, underdevelopment of the left operculum, hypogenesis of the corpus callosum, hypogenesis of inferior vermis, and multiple cysts with peripheral enhancing. Eventually, the diagnosis of AS is confirmed by the results of radiological imaging and ophthalmology exam. ConclusionIn this paper, we report a case of Aicardi syndrome diagnosed in a 7-month-old girl with frequent tonic seizures. We report this case to highlight that Aicardi syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of frequent tonic seizures with abnormal findings on retinal examination and characteristic findings on MRI.