Isolated intracranial hypertension without cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in APLA syndrome: an unique association

Abstract

Background

Antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder predisposing to thrombotic complications affecting CNS either by arterial vaso occlusion or venous thrombosis. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) secondarily produces raised intracranial pressure (ICP). However intracranial hypertension without evidence of CVST is rare entity.

Case presentation

We present two cases of elevated ICP with absence of identifiable CVST. Case 1, a 28-year-old female presented with a 2 months history of headache followed by bilateral vision loss. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure and fundoscopy along with Contrast Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and patient improved with acetazolamide. 5 months later she presented with acute onset right sided hemiparesis. MRI showed acute left Middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarct with normal contrast Magnetic resonance venography (MRV). Anti-cardiolipin and Beta 2 glycoprotein (both IgG and IgM) titres were elevated. Case 2, a 23-year-old female presented with headache and diplopia of 2 months duration. Based on CSF, fundoscopy and contrast MRI brain was diagnosed as IIH and she too responded to diuretics. 2 years later she presented with recurrence of headache and APLA profile showed elevated beta 2 glycoprotein IgG and IgA.

Conclusion

This is an important non thrombotic complication of APLA syndrome and requires further large-scale study for insight into the pathogenesis and early recognition to avoid future complications.

Keywords:

• Non thrombotic complication
• idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• headache
• papilloedema

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Data availability statement

Data required is provided in the manuscript and can be further provided in required in course of review.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.