Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Communicating Hydrocephalus: A Novel or a Well-Established Rare Association?

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of motor neurons, which is linked to mutation of the survival motor neuron-1 gene. Saudi Arabia has a higher than the worldwide prevalence of the disease, estimated to be 4.42/100,000 cases. Association of spinal muscular atrophy with tetraventricular hydrocephalus secondary to Blake's pouch cyst have rarely been reported. Herein, we report a rare case of genetically confirmed type I spinal muscular atrophy accompanied by communicating hydrocephalus with atypical Blake's pouch cyst. Further studies are needed to confirm the exact genetic correlation.