BHASWAR BHATTACHARYA 1, Venkata Sriram Chintha1, Kuntal Biswas1, Debarup Das1, Uddalak Chakraborty1, Adreesh Mukherjee1
1NEUROLOGY, BANGUR INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY
Background:
Hypermanganesemia with dystonia type 2 is an established, rare autosomal recessive partially reversible neurodegenerative condition characterised by mutations in the SLC39A14 gene. Manganese deposition in such cases has a special predilection for the basal ganglia structures leading to dystonia and parkinsonian features. We report such a case of hypermanganesemia in a 1 year old child presenting with extrapyramidal features.
Results:
A 1 year old female child presented with regression of developmental milestones for the past 2 months, losing the ability to stand or even sit without support—skills that she had previously acquired at an appropriate time. This was associated with dystonic posturing of her neck and limbs for the last 1 month. Cognitive skills were normal as per her age without any history of convulsions or other systemic features. Her birth and family history were unremarkable. Her neurological examination was remarkable only for generalised dystonia of her limbs, neck and trunk. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of paramagnetic substance deposition in bilateral basal ganglia and dentate nucleus. Normal routine blood parameters were followed by extensive investigations to rule out Wilson’s disease, NBIA and other autoimmune pathologies. Her blood manganese levels were significantly elevated and her genetic sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations of the SLC39A14 gene at exons 7 and 8. She was started on chelation therapy with Penicillamine and oral iron. Dystonia resolved significantly by the end of 6 months of therapy with marked improvement in her motor developmental milestones.
Conclusions:
Hypermanganesemia with dystonia type 2 (HMNDYT2) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by neuronal manganese deposition without other systemic features. This case highlights the importance of recognising this potentially rare treatable condition and with adequate chelation therapy at the right time, near total restoration of motor symptomatology is possible.