Early-onset stroke in a patient with nasopharyngeal cancer associated with protein C deficiency.
We report a 47-year-old male stroke patient with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and protein C deficiency. The patient was diagnosed with NPC and received a complete course of radiotherapy. Infarction stroke occurred 28 months after radiotherapy and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed the diagnosis. Carotid duplex sonography showed 50-79% stenosis in his left internal carotid artery. Coagulation profiles indicated protein C deficiency. After medical treatment and rehabilitation, the patient regained the ability to walk and he could perform most of his daily activities. Radiotherapy-induced carotid stenosis is an exacerbating feature of stroke in patients with protein C deficiency. We suggest early carotid duplex sonography and survey of the coagulation profile to prevent a stroke in patients with NPC.
Chiu
Ya-Ning
YN
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
Tyng-Guey
TG
Chang
Chein-Wei
CW
D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex