Cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis as a first manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome with catastrophic development

Autor: Lucia Todaro, Angela Luppino, Renata Carra, Aldo Nocchiero, Anna Maria Marson, Egidio Genovese, Federico Ragazzoni, Roberto Quadri
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Italian Journal of Medicine, Vol 11, Iss 2, Pp 215-217 (2017)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1877-9344
1877-9352
DOI: 10.4081/itjm.2017.710
Popis: We describe a case of anti-phospholipid syndrome, with catastrophic development and unusual brain involvement, in which the first manifestation was necrotizing cutaneous vasculitis. A 58-year-old woman presented with fever, gangrene of her lower limbs and ischemic lesions of her arms and hands. Laboratory results showed normal white cell count and normal procalcitonin value. The vascular ultrasound study of the lower limbs did not show any thrombosis or stenosis. A chest-abdomen computed tomography scan showed inflammatory thickening of the lung. A month after admission she developed confusion, weakness and aphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed hyperintense bilateral symmetrical lesions in the frontal and cerebellar regions. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were negative, whereas anti-β 2 glycoprotein 1 were in high titer. She was started on steroids, and subsequently warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid and hydroxychloroquine, with progressive improvement of her clinical status.
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