Locked–in Syndrome in a Nigerian male with Multiple Sclerosis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Locked-in syndrome is an extremely difficult neurologic condition to recognize, especially by the non-specialists. A case of locked-in syndrome in a 41–year old Niger Deltan Nigerian with relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) is presented, including a detailed literature review. PATIENT AND CASE REPORT: The patient was in a state of spastic quadriplegia, motionless and aphasic (mute), with the preservation of consciousness and the ability to open and blink the eyes and move them vertically. Two episodes of the disease, varying in duration, have been described. The diagnosis of MS was made from the history and the typical clinical presentation: history of relapsing and remitting signs and clinical evidence of multi-focal involvement of the central nervous system. CONCLUSION: Patient died at the age of 45 years, from pulmonary complications. This article may enhance easy recognition and management of the syndrome by all clinicians.