Clinical and neuroradiological aspects of Sneddon's syndrome and primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A follow-up study.
We performed a study to investigate differences and similarities between patients with Sneddon's syndrome and those with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAS), by clinical follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography. Nine patients with Sneddon's syndrome and 11 patients with PAS were assessed at diagnosis and followed for a mean of 6 years. The clinical and MRI findings indicated that Sneddon's syndrome and PAS are distinct entities. Patients with Sneddon's syndrome had a progressive clinical course with increasing disability and cognitive deterioration; patients with PAS had a more benign course. Infarcts in territories of the main cerebral arteries were frequent in PAS, while leukoaraiosis and small lacunar infarcts were more common in Sneddon's syndrome. In 3 of 7 women initially diagnosed with PAS, the diagnosis was changed to systemic lupus erythematosus during follow-up. Differential diagnosis of Sneddon's syndrome and PAS is important, as early therapy is effective for the latter, more benign, condition.
Fetoni
V
V
National Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
Grisoli
M
M
Salmaggi
A
A
Carriero
R
R
Girotti
F
F
D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D018860:Sneddon Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*