An unusual cause of attacks of focal cerebral symptoms: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa

A case of MEN type I a is described showing among other symptoms, three attacks of transient neurological symptoms. These were attributed to a localized, transient cerebral ischemia. The latter probably developed as a consequence of the concomitant occurrence of different phenomena: the existence of hypercalcemia and on the other hand the secretion of vasoactive substances by one of the three tumours forming the MEN type II a syndrome. The pheochromocytoma played an essential role because the symptoms did not recur after the bilateral adrenalectomy.