DYKE-DAVIDOFF-MASSON SYNDROME-A Rare Cause of Cerebral Hemiatrophy in a 17-Years-Old Ethiopian Patient: A Case Report

Ethiop J Health Sci. 2019 Mar;29(2):287-290. doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v29i2.16.

Abstract

Background: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare disease with unknown frequency, mainly presented with seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral hemiparesis and mental retardation. Often, resulting from brain injury due to a multitude of causes, especially in early life, associated with birth asphyxia. Radiological findings include cerebral hemiatrophy/hypoplasia, calvarial thickening, and hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinuses.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 17-year-old male patient who presented to Neurology Clinic with complaints of left side body weakness, walking difficulty and poorly controlled seizure for the past 6 years. Brain MRI revealed atrophy of the right cerebral hemisphere.

Conclusion: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome should be suspected in any patients who present with classical features and brain imaging showing hemiatrophy. Early identification and treatment is important in such patients, as it can improve patients prognosis and quality of life.

Keywords: Cerebral hemiatrophy; Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome; Magnetic resonance imaging; Seizure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Atrophy / etiology
  • Brain Diseases / complications
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cerebrum / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrum / pathology
  • Ethiopia
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Syndrome