HYPERTENSION IN LEIGH-SYNDROME - A CASE-REPORT

A female patient, who was diagnosed with Leigh syndrome at 15 months o f age, developed fulminating severe hypertension and died at 8 years o f age. Hypertension has not been reported as an important clinical sym ptom in Leigh syndrome. Laboratory findings indicated that it was not associated with endocrinopathic diseases such as pheochromocytoma and aldosteronism, or renal diseases. Brain MRI scan showed symmetrical le sions in the basal ganglia and medulla oblongata including the nucleus tractus solitarius. This nucleus is known to play an important role i n maintaining blood pressure. Since the medulla oblongata is a vulnera ble site, potential development of hypertension should be taken into c onsideration when managing Leigh syndrome.