[Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome. Case report and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND

Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is a bone overgrowth on the inside of the frontal bone. This alteration can occur in isolation or together with neuropsychiatric symptoms, metabolic and endocrine manifestations which together form the Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome. In this regard, the case of a patient who meets criteria for this syndrome is presented and a review of the literature is performed with focus on its pathophysiology.

METHODS

A 74 years old female with a history of exposure to wood smoke, vitiligo, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cognitive impairment who enters the hospital by malaise, dizziness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation and difficulty walking. In she were performed imaging of the skull where was observed the presence of extensive hyperostosis frontalis interna, cortical atrophy and a left thalamic lacunar infarction. During this hospital stay the presence of grade I obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia was documented.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient met the criteria of Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome to manifest the presence of hyperostosis frontalis interna with metabolic, endocrine and neuropsychiatric manifestations. The pathophysiological origin of the syndrome is unknown, although it has been postulated that an endocrine imbalance motivated by genetic and environmental factors may be the cause.