Case Report
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HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 112 - 114, 28.07.2025

Abstract

Transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL) syndrome is a rare and misdiagnosed condition characterized with temporary neurological deficits, headache and pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Symptoms vary widely in patients and many neurological diseases such as stroke, migraine, encephalitis and epilepsy should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In this report, we described a 41-year-old female patient with HaNDL syndrome presenting with dysphasia and headache and we aimed to highlight the disease by discussing the clinical features, management and follow up period of the disease. It is important to raise awareness of its existence to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful research and treatments.

References

  • Al-Chalabi M, Hegde P, Asghar F, et al. Transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis syndrome: A comprehensive systematic review of 93 patients from 57 studies. Cephalalgia 2023;43:3331024231157694.
  • Keskin KG, Carus I, Kalyoncu Aslan I, Gözke E. HaNDL syndrome: The innocent lymphocytic pleocytosis. Neurologist 2024;29:163-5.
  • Frediani F, Bussone G. Confusional state as first symptom of HaNDL syndrome. Neurol Sci 2015;36 Suppl 1:71-4.
  • Gómez-Aranda F, Cañadillas F, Martí-Massó JF, et al. Pseudomigraine with temporary neurological symptoms and lymphocytic pleocytosis. A report of 50 cases. Brain 1997;120:1105-13.
  • Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia 2018;38:1-211.
  • Coban A, Shugaiv E, Tüzün E. Syndrome of headache accompanied with transient neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2013;50 Suppl 1:S52-S5.
  • Barón J, Mulero P, Pedraza MI, et al. HaNDL syndrome: Correlation between focal deficits topography and EEG or SPECT abnormalities in a series of 5 new cases. Neurologia 2016;31(5):305-10.
  • Stelten BM, Venhovens J, van der Velden LB, Meulstee J, Verhagen WI. Syndrome of transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL): A case report with serial electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.. Is there an association with human herpes virus type 7 (HHV-7) infection? Cephalalgia 2016;36(13):1296-301.
  • Quintas S, López Ruiz R, Trillo S,et al. Clinical, imaging and electroencephalographic characterization of three cases of HaNDL syndrome. Cephalalgia 2018;38(7):1402-6.

HaNDL Sendromu: Nadir ve göz ardı edilen bir hastalık

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 112 - 114, 28.07.2025

Abstract

Beyin omurilik sıvısı lenfositozu ve geçici nörolojik bulguların eşlik ettiği baş ağrısı (HaNDL) sendromu, geçici nörolojik defisitler, baş ağrısı ve serebrospinal sıvıda (BOS) pleositoz ile karakterize nadir ve tanıda karışıklıklara neden olabilecek bir hastalıktır. Semptomlar hastalarda büyük ölçüde değişkenlik gösterir ve inme, migren, ensefalit ve epilepsi gibi birçok nörolojik hastalık ayırıcı tanıda düşünülmelidir. Bu raporda, konuşma bozukluğu ve baş ağrısı ile başvuran HaNDL sendromlu 41 yaşında bir kadın hastada hastalığın klinik özelliklerini, yönetimini ve takip sürecini tartışarak hastalığı vurgulamayı amaçladık. Hastalığın varlığı üzerine farkındalık gelişmesi ile gereksiz ve zararlı olabilecek araştırmalar ve tedavilerden kaçınılması önem taşımaktadır.

References

  • Al-Chalabi M, Hegde P, Asghar F, et al. Transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis syndrome: A comprehensive systematic review of 93 patients from 57 studies. Cephalalgia 2023;43:3331024231157694.
  • Keskin KG, Carus I, Kalyoncu Aslan I, Gözke E. HaNDL syndrome: The innocent lymphocytic pleocytosis. Neurologist 2024;29:163-5.
  • Frediani F, Bussone G. Confusional state as first symptom of HaNDL syndrome. Neurol Sci 2015;36 Suppl 1:71-4.
  • Gómez-Aranda F, Cañadillas F, Martí-Massó JF, et al. Pseudomigraine with temporary neurological symptoms and lymphocytic pleocytosis. A report of 50 cases. Brain 1997;120:1105-13.
  • Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia 2018;38:1-211.
  • Coban A, Shugaiv E, Tüzün E. Syndrome of headache accompanied with transient neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2013;50 Suppl 1:S52-S5.
  • Barón J, Mulero P, Pedraza MI, et al. HaNDL syndrome: Correlation between focal deficits topography and EEG or SPECT abnormalities in a series of 5 new cases. Neurologia 2016;31(5):305-10.
  • Stelten BM, Venhovens J, van der Velden LB, Meulstee J, Verhagen WI. Syndrome of transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL): A case report with serial electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.. Is there an association with human herpes virus type 7 (HHV-7) infection? Cephalalgia 2016;36(13):1296-301.
  • Quintas S, López Ruiz R, Trillo S,et al. Clinical, imaging and electroencephalographic characterization of three cases of HaNDL syndrome. Cephalalgia 2018;38(7):1402-6.
There are 9 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases
Journal Section Case Report
Authors

İlkin İyigündoğdu 0000-0001-7860-040X

Eda Derle 0000-0003-2122-1016

Publication Date July 28, 2025
Submission Date April 7, 2025
Acceptance Date June 5, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 6 Issue: 2

Cite

APA İyigündoğdu, İ., & Derle, E. (2025). HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease. Eskisehir Medical Journal, 6(2), 112-114.
AMA İyigündoğdu İ, Derle E. HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease. Eskisehir Med J. July 2025;6(2):112-114.
Chicago İyigündoğdu, İlkin, and Eda Derle. “HaNDL Syndrome: A Rare and Overlooked Disease”. Eskisehir Medical Journal 6, no. 2 (July 2025): 112-14.
EndNote İyigündoğdu İ, Derle E (July 1, 2025) HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease. Eskisehir Medical Journal 6 2 112–114.
IEEE İ. İyigündoğdu and E. Derle, “HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease”, Eskisehir Med J, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 112–114, 2025.
ISNAD İyigündoğdu, İlkin - Derle, Eda. “HaNDL Syndrome: A Rare and Overlooked Disease”. Eskisehir Medical Journal 6/2 (July2025), 112-114.
JAMA İyigündoğdu İ, Derle E. HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease. Eskisehir Med J. 2025;6:112–114.
MLA İyigündoğdu, İlkin and Eda Derle. “HaNDL Syndrome: A Rare and Overlooked Disease”. Eskisehir Medical Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, 2025, pp. 112-4.
Vancouver İyigündoğdu İ, Derle E. HaNDL Syndrome: A rare and overlooked disease. Eskisehir Med J. 2025;6(2):112-4.