Antiphospholipid antibodies in patients without systemic lupus erythematosus: neuroradiologic findings.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To study neuroradiologic findings in patients with hypercoagulability due to antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Retrospective review of abnormal angiographic, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings was performed over a 14-month period in patients with APAs, no diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, age less than 65 years, and no other cause of a hypercoagulable state.

RESULTS:

Fourteen patients (age range, 22-62 years) with APAs had abnormal results at neuroradiologic examination. Abnormal findings on cross-sectional imaging studies included large-artery (n = 3), lacunar (n = 5), and venous infarctions (n = 2); cortical atrophy (n = 5); white matter abnormalities (n = 3); and dural sinus thrombosis (n = 4). Abnormal angiographic findings included large-artery occlusions (n = 2), arterial narrowing that simulated vasculitis (n = 2), and transverse sinus thrombosis (n = 1).

CONCLUSION:

Presence of APAs should be suspected when no cause is apparent for either (a) an ischemic cerebrovascular event in young and middle-aged adults or (b) dural sinus or cerebral venous thrombosis (c) in patients with recurrent systemic arterial or venous thromboses, especially women with recurrent miscarriages.

• Authors: J M Provenzale, E R Heinz, T L Ortel, B G Macik, L A Charles, M J Alberts
• Journal: Radiology (Radiology) Vol. 192 Issue 2 Pg. 531-7 (Aug 1994) ISSN: 0033-8419 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8029427 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid (analysis)
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Brain Diseases (complications, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging)
• Cerebral Angiography
• Female
• Humans
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (complications, diagnostic imaging, immunology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed