Bromocriptine-responsive akinetic mutism following endoscopy for ventricular neurocysticercosis. Case report and review of the literature

J Neurosurg. 2003 Aug;99(2):397-401. doi: 10.3171/jns.2003.99.2.0397.

Abstract

A 26-year-old woman with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a cysticercal cyst blocking the left foramen of Monro was initially treated with an external ventriculostomy and subsequent endoscopically assisted cyst resection and septostomy. Postoperatively, the patient developed the clinical syndrome of akinetic mutism, but her condition improved after the administration of the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine. This result indicates that a disruption in the ascending dopaminergic pathway involved in behavior formation was likely the cause of these neurological symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Akinetic Mutism / diagnosis
  • Akinetic Mutism / drug therapy*
  • Akinetic Mutism / etiology*
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use*
  • Cerebral Ventricles* / parasitology
  • Cerebral Ventricles* / pathology
  • Cerebral Ventricles* / surgery
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Endoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurocysticercosis* / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis* / diagnosis
  • Neurocysticercosis* / surgery
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Bromocriptine