Severe limb necrosis: primary thrombotic microangiopathy or "seronegative" catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome? A diagnostic dilemma

Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Oct;26(10):1737-40. doi: 10.1007/s10067-006-0487-8. Epub 2007 Jan 26.

Abstract

An episode of gastroenteritis triggered severe necrosis of all extremities in a previously asymptomatic male. Hepatic and renal involvement were also manifest, while the hematological picture was one of thrombotic microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Antiphospholipid antibodies were negative. He responded well to a combination of plasma exchange, anticoagulation (heparin), parenteral steroids, and antibiotics, as well as vasodilators (prostacycline) and hyperbaric oxygen, but died because of a cerebral hemorrhage. The differential diagnosis included thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic-uremic syndrome, or seronegative catastrophic antiphospholipid (Asherson's) syndrome. The dangers of administering such a combination of therapies with anticoagulation, as well as vasodilatation (prostacycline) and hyperbaric oxygen, are highlighted by the case report and emphasized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / mortality
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epoprostenol / pharmacology
  • Extremities / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gastroenteritis / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis / pathology*
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Thrombosis / mortality
  • Thrombosis / pathology
  • Vascular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vascular Diseases / mortality
  • Vascular Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Epoprostenol
  • Oxygen