Core hypothermia in multiple sclerosis: case report with magnetic resonance imaging localization of a thalamic lesion

Abstract

Hypothermia is a rare condition in multiple sclerosis (MS). We report on a patient with a longstanding secondary progressive MS and six episodes of recurring hypothermia down to 29.98C with associated hypotension, bradycardia, coagulopathy and electrolyte dysequilibrium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated severe involvement of the corpus callosum with an associated lesion in the right posterior thalamus. These findings may link hypothermia in MS with callosal and associated thalamic pathology to Shapiro’s syndrome, where agenesis of the corpus callosum and associated abnormalities are related to episodic spontaneous hypothermia. In MS, hypothermic episodes may be triggered by preceding infections, as shown in the present case.