[Embolic stroke with mobile thrombus in carotid artery induced by antiphospholipid antibody syndrome]

Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2003 Jun;43(6):366-9.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We report a 56-year-old woman suffering from an embolic brain infarction in her right frontal lobe. Carotid ultrasonogram showed a mass-shaped thrombus with little atherosclerotic change of underlying intima-media in the right common carotid artery. The thrombus was reduced with treatment and changed to mobile slender thrombus on admission. No other embolic sources were detected even using transesophageal echocardiography. Her blood test indicated existence of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) complicated with mixed connective tissue disease as an etiology of this uncommon carotid thrombus. The thrombus disappeared completely after two-week intensive antithrombotic therapy. This is a valuable report that arterial thrombi accompanied by APS could be detected by carotid ultrasound and observed until thrombus was disappeared. When we manage APS patients, it is important to rule out thrombus formation in the carotid artery using ultrasonography from the point of stroke prevention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications*
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Carotid Artery Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heparin / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Heparin
  • Aspirin