Hemolysis, hemorrhage, headache, and hidden abortion: imaging findings in antiphospholipid syndrome.
Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with arterial and venous thromboses, recurrent pregnancy loss, and organ infarction. Any vascular region can be affected. We present a 20-year-old woman suffering from secondary antiphospholipid syndrome with a unique combination of multifocal venous thromboses, pulmonary embolism, spontaneous abortion, and splenic infarction. Diversity of clinical symptoms and diagnostic imaging modalities are discussed with emphasis on cross-sectional imaging. The syndrome should be suspected in patients with thromboses and organ infarctions of otherwise undetermined etiology.
Mahnken
Andreas H
AH
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, University of Technology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany. mahnken@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Brandenburg
Vincent M
VM
Frank
Rolf D
RD
Haage
Patrick
P
Günther
Rolf W
RW
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006461:Hemolysis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid