J Korean Med Sci.  2002 Dec;17(6):861-863. 10.3346/jkms.2002.17.6.861.

Globus Pallidus Lesions Associated with High Mountain Climbing

• Jeong JH
• Kwon JC
• Chin JH
• Yoon SJ
• Na DL

• KMID: 648804
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2002.17.6.861

Abstract

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurs commonly in hikers who are rapidly exposed to high altitude environments. Despite the numerous reports of AMS, few studies have reported pallidal lesions associated with altitude sickness. A previously healthy 49-yr-old Korean patient, after ascent to 4,700 m, suffered symptoms consistent with AMS. After returning home, the patient showed changes in personality characterized by abulia, indifference, and indecisiveness. T2 weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal lesions involving bilateral globus pallidus. Our case suggests that globus pallidus injury should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with personality or cognitive change after recovery from AMS.

Keyword

Anoxia; Globus Pallidus; Mountain Climbing; Altitude Sickness

MeSH Terms

Altitude
Altitude Sickness/*complications
Behavior
Brain/pathology
Brain Damage, Chronic/*etiology/pathology
Environment
Globus Pallidus/*pathology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Mountaineering