Ischaemic stroke in progressive systemic sclerosis

Neurol Sci. 2004 Oct;25(4):230-3. doi: 10.1007/s10072-004-0327-z.

Abstract

Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) or scleroderma is a multisystem disease affecting the skin, lungs, myocardium, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Primary involvement of cerebral arteries in PSS has been reported but is very rare. A 61-year-old woman suffering from scleroderma for six years was hospitalised for two subsequent episodes of transient acute dysarthria and left hemiparesis. After five hours from the first onset of symptoms, she was submitted to brain magnetic resonance (MR) protocol that showed a right subinsular ischaemic lesion and whole right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory hypoperfusion. Intracranial and epiaortic MR angiography reported a focal stenosis in the M2 portion of MCA. She was immediately treated with i.v. high dose steroids and oral acetylsalicylic acid. At one-month follow up, MR findings were confirmed. We have documented a cerebral infarct in a PSS patient. In our opinion, the ischaemic stroke was caused by a localised autoimmune angiopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology*
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology*
  • Brain Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Dysarthria / etiology
  • Dysarthria / pathology
  • Dysarthria / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / etiology*
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Paresis / pathology
  • Paresis / physiopathology
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / physiopathology
  • Steroids / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Steroids
  • Aspirin