Intrauterine Fetal Demise Followed by CVT in a Woman with SLE and Secondary APS

Abstract

We recently encountered a rare case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) presenting with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). A 24-year-old woman with a history of recent fetal loss experienced an intractable headache, followed by right hemiparesis and hypoesthesia over her limbs with the exception of her left lower extremity. Head CT and MRI with magnetic resonance venography (MRV) demonstrated CVT. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy of CVT are of prime importance for achieving a favorable outcome. We present this rare case to emphasize that CVT is often multifactorial. Further investigations and the clinical symptoms of the patient proved the diagnosis of SLE with secondary APS.