Hypoglycemia as a trigger for the syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions in uremia

Abstract

The syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions is a rarely described complication of uremia occurring typically in the setting of concurrent long-standing diabetes mellitus. Reversible symmetrical lesions located in basal ganglia found on brain magnetic resonance imaging are hallmarks of this syndrome. Clinical presentation includes parkinsonism and/or involuntary movements. The cause of this syndrome is largely unknown. Among the factors that are believed to contribute to its pathogenesis are uremic toxins, metabolic acidosis and diabetic microangiopathy. Here we report a patient with uremia and newly diagnosed diabetes, who developed the syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions after an incidence of severe hypoglycemia induced by oral hypoglycemic agents. We consider hypoglycemia as a candidate trigger factor for the syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions and highlight the importance of strict glucose control in uremic patients.