J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2002 Dec;13(4):593-595.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Causing a Cerebral Infarction

• Hur JM
• Yoon SK
• Min YG
• Cho JP

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a thrombophilic disorder characterized by recurrent abortion, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in which venous or arterial thrombosis, or both, may occur in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Antiphospholipid antibodies have been associated with a variety of neurological disorders, many of which, but not all are manifestations of cerebral or ocular ischemia. Recently, we experienced one case of a cerebral infarct due to APS in a 24-year-old female. She visited the emergency department and presented with dizziness and vomiting. After admission, we conducted a physical examination, blood tests, and brain computed tomography. Her blood tests revealed prolonged aPTT and thrombocytopenia, and brain computed tomography showed a right cerebellar and pons infarct. We treated her with anticoagulants. She was discharged with nearly a full recovery on the seventh hospital day.

Keyword

Antiphospholipid syndrome; Vertigo; Cerebral Infarction

MeSH Terms

Abortion, Habitual
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
Anticoagulants
Antiphospholipid Syndrome*
Brain
Cerebral Infarction*
Dizziness
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Ischemia
Nervous System Diseases
Partial Thromboplastin Time
Physical Examination
Pons
Pregnancy
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombosis
Vertigo
Vomiting
Young Adult
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
Anticoagulants