Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leigh syndrome (LS) is an inherited form of mitochondrial encephalopathy associated with various gene mutations of the oxidative phosphorylation system, typically occurring in infancy or early childhood and resulting in disability or even death. However, few late-onset cases have been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this case report was to investigate the radiological and clinical characteristics of an adult patient diagnosed with Leigh syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: This article describes a patient who presented with recurrent generalized seizures, peripheral neuropathy and hypertension and was ultimately diagnosed with Leigh syndrome with a mitochondrial gene variant, c.9176T > C (p.Leu217Pro), in 20,315 of the MT-ATP6 gene. Here, we discuss the possible pathogenesis of its clinical manifestations according to the related literature and review the current therapeutic approaches and prognosis of LS. CONCLUSION: A possible diagnosis of LS should be taken into consideration when patients with characteristic neuroimaging findings of LS demonstrate recurrent seizures, peripheral neuropathy, or hypertension, and genetic analysis should be carried out for differential diagnosis.