CT and MR imaging of Susac syndrome in a young male presenting with acute disorientation

Susac syndrome is a rare neurologic disorder first described by Susac et al. in 1979. Clinically, Susac syndrome consists of a triad including encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss. Microinfarction is believed to be the basic histologic feature and MR is considered the best imaging modality. This case documents the typical imaging findings of Susac syndrome, as well as the unique MR imaging finding of cranial nerve enhancement.