Abstract

Superficial siderosis is a rare disorder characterised by the deposition of haemosiderin on the surface of the central nervous system. Cognitive dysfunction has sporadically been reported in relation with superficial siderosis. We present a 61-year-old man with cognitive dysfunction in the presence of the typical radiological image of temporal and cerebellar superficial siderosis, most likely due to pseudomeningocoele 14 years after resection of a meningioma at the cervicothoracic junction. Xantochromia was present on cerebrospinal fluid investigation and a source of bleeding was seen during surgical exploration. Despite surgical treatment of the suspected bleeding source, the patient deteriorated and neuropsychological examination 1 year after surgery showed progression of cognitive dysfunction to dementia. It is likely that in the absence of other typical symptoms such as cerebellar ataxia and hearing loss, the cognitive dysfunction was not related to the superficial siderosis.