title: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: an unusual cause of stroke in a 22-year-old female.
abstract: A 22-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department after the acute onset of left hemiparesis. Marked prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time, mild thrombocytopenia, a history of syphilis, and recent spontaneous abortion suggested the diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, an unusual cause of ischemic stroke. This case illustrates the clinical and laboratory features of this uncommon disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Vassalluzzo
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Glynn
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011247:Pregnancy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology