Hippocampal Ischemic Transient Global Amnesia after Gastrointestinal Endoscopy without Prior Medication

Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a clinically amnestic syndrome characterized by normal neurological function aside from sudden-onset, reversible anterograde amnesia during the episode. TGA is typically related to strenuous physical activity, severe emotional stress and some medical procedures, such as angiography, while reports of TGA related to gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy are extremely rare. Method: I analyzed the clinical features and the neuro-radiological findings of three cases of TGA after GI endoscopy without prior medication. Results: I described three cases of clinically confirmed TGA after upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy, and all three patients presented with tiny ischemic unilateral or bilateral lesions in their hippocampus on DWI of the brain. Conclusion: TGA must be considered in amnestic patients after GI endoscopy, and prompt DWI of the brain may be helpful for diagnosing TGA.