Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Brief Clinical Note

Cerebral embolism in Duchenne muscular dystrophy after respiratory tract infection \ Report of two cases

Yuhei Hasuike, M.D.1), Toshio Saito, M.D., Ph.D.1), Tomoko Saito, M.D., Ph.D.1), Tsuyoshi Matsumura, M.D., Ph.D.1), Harutoshi Fujimura, M.D., Ph.D.1) and Saburo Sakoda, M.D., Ph.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology, NHO Toneyama National Hospital

We report cerebral embolism in 2 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) after respiratory tract infection. A 31-year-old man (Case 1) was admitted to the hospital because of an upper respiratory tract infection, then suddenly developed left-sided hemiparesis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an intracardiac thrombus in the left ventricle, and, under assumption of cardioembolic stroke, oral anticoagulation was initiated. Case 2 was a 36-year-old man who developed dysphasia after increasing sputum. Based on brain CT scan findings, we confirmed a diagnosis of cerebral infarction. There was no recurrence in either case. Both cases developed cerebral infarction due to embolism after mild upper respiratory tract infections. DMD patients have various risk factors for thrombus and embolus, while physicians should also be aware of possible cerebral infarction and other coagulation disorders irrespective of respiratory and cardiac therapy.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (1339K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 58: 642|645, 2018)
key words: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, stroke, intracardiac thrombus, coagulation abnormality

(Received: 25-Dec-17)