1/6. Can neurologic manifestations of Hughes (antiphospholipid) syndrome be distinguished from multiple sclerosis? Analysis of 27 patients and review of the literature.Hughes (antiphospholipid) syndrome (APS) can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of MS-like expression in a cohort of patients with APS in an attempt to identify parameters that might differentiate the 2 entities. We studied 27 patients who were referred to our unit with the diagnosis of probable or definite MS made by a neurologist. All patients were referred to our lupus clinic because of symptoms suggesting an underlying connective tissue disease, uncommon findings for MS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), atypical evolution of MS, or antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity. aPL, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies were measured by standard methods. MRI was performed in every patient and compared with MRI of 25 definite MS patients who did not have aPL. An index severity score was calculated based on the size and number of increased signal intensity areas in MRI. In the past medical history, 8 patients with primary APS and 6 with APS secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had had symptoms related to these conditions. Neurologic symptoms and physical examination of the patients were not different from those common in MS patients. Laboratory findings were not a useful tool to distinguish APS from MS. When MRI from APS patients was compared globally with MRI from MS patients, MS patients had significantly increased severity score in white matter (p < 0.001), cerebellum (p = 0.035), pons (p < 0.015), and when all areas were taken together (p < 0.001). patients with APS had significantly increased scores in the putamen (p < 0.01). No differences were noticed in the degree of atrophy. When taken individually, MRI from APS patients could not be distinguished from MRI from MS patients. Most of the patients with primary APS showed a good response to oral anticoagulant treatment. In patients with secondary APS, the outcome was poorer. Hughes syndrome (APS) and MS can be difficult to distinguish. A careful medical history, a previous history of thrombosis and/or fetal loss, an abnormal localization of the lesions in MRI, and the response to anticoagulant therapy might be helpful in the differential diagnosis. We believe that testing for aPL should become routine in all patients with MS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/6. Perioperative medical management of antiphospholipid syndrome: hospital for special surgery experience, review of literature, and recommendations.patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), who are predisposed to vascular thrombotic events, are at additional risk for thrombosis when they undergo surgery. Serious perioperative complications (recurrent thrombosis, catastrophic exacerbation, or bleeding) occur despite prophylaxis. We describe our perioperative experience with APS patients who underwent a variety of surgeries, review the literature, and discuss strategies that may guide other physicians in their perioperative evaluation and management of patients with APS. Recommendations: perioperative strategies should be clearly identified before surgical procedure; pharmacological and physical antithrombosis interventions vigorously employed; periods without anticoagulation kept to a minimum; and any deviation from a normal course should be considered a potential disease related event.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/6. Membranous glomerulonephritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, and persistent low C3 levels associated with meningococcal disease.A young male patient with a recent history of meningococcemia was referred to our hospital in his recovery period. He had signs suggesting deep venous thrombosis in the legs but no other abnormalities on physical examination at admission. Laboratory results showed proteinuria (3.1 g/day), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (56.3 s), low level of C3c (0.19 g/l), high titers of both IgM (27.04 MPLU/ml) and IgG (74.88 GPLU/ml) anticardiolipin antibodies and recanalized thrombotic changes in the deep veins of the lower extremities on venography. Histopathological diagnosis of the kidney disease was membranous glomerulonephritis. He was started on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor to reduce proteinuria and an oral anticoagulant to prevent thromboembolic events. Since no reduction in proteinuria was observed at the 10th month of therapy, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor was discontinued. On his last follow-up, approximately 1.5 years after meningococcemia, he had no complaints and no abnormal findings on physical examination. While both IgM and IgG anticardiolipin antibody titers returned to the normal range, he still had persistent proteinuria and hypocomplementemia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/6. Successful treatment of post-exertion acute myocardial infarction by primary angioplasty and stenting in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder characterized by arterial and venous thromboses, thrombocytopaenia and stroke. Acute myocardial infarction is rarely associated with this syndrome. The treatment of these patients is a clinical challenge. This report is about a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome presenting with an acute myocardial infarction after an exercise test. The infarct-related coronary artery was successfully revascularized by primary angioplasty and stenting without any major bleeding complications. We think that the physical exertion could have favoured acute coronary thrombosis in this particular setting.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/6. Intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with SLE and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS): report of a case.A 31-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for investigation of left lower limb thrombophlebitis. history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations led to the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), complicated by secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Treatment included steroids, azathioprine, aspirin, and low molecular weight heparin. Sixty-three days later, she was admitted to the hospital again because of high fever, macroscopic hematuria, and dyspnea. Laboratory testing showed anemia and impaired renal function. High-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral multiple peribronchial infiltrates with hemorrhage. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography of the kidneys revealed left renal vein thrombosis combined with ischemia of the left kidney. cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone pulse treatment as well as intravenous immunoglobulins were started immediately. Despite intensive immunosuppressive and supportive treatment, she suffered three relapses of alveolar hemorrhage and died on day 40, due to severe intracerebral bleeding. The final diagnosis was catastrophic APS with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and kidney involvement. The unusual combination of recurrent alveolar hemorrhage and death from intracerebral hemorrhage rather than thrombosis in a CAPS patient is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/6. Reversible cardiogenic shock in an angry woman--case report and review of the literature.A previously healthy woman presented with ischemic cardiac pain and ST elevation suggestive of acute myocardial infarction following a 45 min argument. Despite receiving tissue plasminogen activator, she developed cardiogenic shock and objective evidence of recurrent ischemia, with only a small creatine kinase rise. angiography revealed the unexpected findings of normal coronary anatomy and akinesis of the distal two-thirds of the left ventricle. Apart from an iliac vein thrombosis, the remainder of her course was characterized by dramatic recovery of cardiac function. The differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries is discussed, with emphasis on aspects relevant to this case. The presence of high titre anticentromere antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, protein s deficiency and supportive physical findings, suggested the diagnosis of concurrent antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (with secondary acquired protein s deficiency) and crest syndrome. The pathogenesis likely involved an interaction between stress, vasospasm, and thrombosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |