Human Kluver-Bucy syndrome following acute subdural haematoma

• Published in: Acta neurochirurgica Vol. 146; no. 11; pp. 1267 - 1270
• Main Authors: Yoneoka, Y, Takeda, N, Inoue, A, Ibuchi, Y, Kumagai, T, Sugai, T, Takeda, K-I, Ueda, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria Springer Nature B.V 01.11.2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Brain; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute - complications; Humans; Kluver-Bucy Syndrome - diagnosis; Kluver-Bucy Syndrome - etiology; Male
• ISSN: 0001-6268; 0942-0940
• DOI: 10.1007/s00701-004-0373-6

We present a rare case of complete human Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) following recovery from transtentorial herniation caused by acute subdural haematoma (ASDH). A 17-year-old right-handed high school boy got into stupor within five minutes after 3-rounds of sparing at boxing. Emergency computed tomographic (CT) scan showed right cerebral hemispheric ASDH, which was evacuated following intentional decompressive craniectomy. After recovery of consciousness, he developed emotional changes (placidity with loss of normal fear and anger), psychic blindness, aberrant sexual behaviour, excessive oral tendencies, increased appetite, and hypermetamorphosis in order of mention, which were observed with waxing and waning from 17th to 28th hospital day. Peri-operative CT scaning and magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions of the right temporal lobe and right-dominant orbitofrontal regions including bilateral rectal and medial orbital gyri, and the intact left temporal lobe. Two pathogeneses can be thought of and the whole picture of KBS following ASDH can arise even though one (left in this case) temporal lobe is preserved, 1) in which associated orbitofrontal lesions of the frontal lobes may correlate with occurrence of KBS, or 2) cerebral blood hypoperfusion of both temporal lobes due to increased intracranial pressure and/or compression of both posterior cerebral arteries at the edge of the tentorium cerebelli occurs.