Alternating Amaurosis Fugax in Trousseau Syndrome: A Case Report

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2019 Jul;28(7):e92-e94. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2019.04.018. Epub 2019 May 13.

Abstract

Amaurosis fugax (AmF) is defined as transient monocular visual loss secondary to retinal ischemia. In most patients presenting with AmF, the attack of visual loss occurs in the same eye. A 64-year-old woman experienced transient visual loss in her right eye. Three days after that, an attack happened on the left side. In total, she had 5 episodes of AmF in 2 months. AmF occurred on both sides at different times, and so may be referred to as "Alternating AmF". Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high-intensity lesions in various parts of brain, and laboratory examination revealed elevated D-dimer and ovarian tumor marker. We suspected Trousseau syndrome and found a giant ovary tumor. After removal of the tumor, no recurrence was observed. When a patient with alternating AmF is encountered, screening for malignancy is essential.

Keywords: Alternating Amaurosis Fugax; Trousseau syndrome; elevated D-dimer; hypercoagulability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / blood
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / therapy
  • Amaurosis Fugax / diagnostic imaging
  • Amaurosis Fugax / etiology*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Blood Coagulation
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / blood
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Syndrome
  • Thromboembolism / blood
  • Thromboembolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Thromboembolism / etiology*
  • Thrombophilia / blood
  • Thrombophilia / diagnosis
  • Thrombophilia / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • fibrin fragment D