Multiple cerebral infarction diagnosed as Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis by autopsy

Multiple brain infarctions and endomyocarditis in ANCA-negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a small vessel necrotizing vasculitis characterized by asthma and eosinophilia. Ischemic stroke is a rare complication of the disease. We herein report a case involving a 77-year-old woman with sinusitis who developed embolic stroke and splenic infarctions. Laboratory tests revealed hypereosinophilia and elevated troponin-T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) studies were negative. Skin biopsy showed infiltration of eosinophils into the arterial walls. These clinicopathological findings led to the diagnosis of EGPA. We also found the evidence of endomyocarditis as revealed by multimodality cardiac imaging. The patient underwent continuous immunosuppressive and anticoagulation therapy, and the infarctions did not recur. This report highlights the importance of histologically proven vasculitis with eosinophil infiltration and careful examination for cardiac involvement, especially in ANCA-negative patients.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: an unusual cause of stroke

Stroke has become increasingly common with the rise in hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and other metabolic disorders. In this case, a 69-year-old man with several weeks of non-specific symptoms and no history of metabolic disorders presents with unilateral weakness and supraventricular tachycardia. Kidney biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. He responded well to rituximab infusions.

Multiple Cerebral Infarctions Accompanied by Subcortical and Subarachnoid Hemorrhaging in Bilateral Border Zone Areas in a Patient with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is often associated with peripheral neuropathy, but reports of central nervous system involvement are quite rare. We herein report a patient with EGPA first identified as having hypereosinophilia who later developed asthma, eosinophilic otitis media, sinusitis, and hemorrhagic colitis. She subsequently developed hemiparesis. Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple cerebral infarctions with subcortical and subarachnoid hemorrhaging colocalized at the bilateral border zone areas. She was diagnosed with EGPA-induced stroke and successfully treated with oral prednisolone. Inflammation in the small cerebral arteries in EGPA may induce bilateral border zone infarction with colocalizing subcortical and subarachnoid hemorrhaging.

Multiple cerebral infarctions associated with lung cancer-induced hypereosinophilia: a case report

Background

Hypereosinophilia (HE) is caused by various conditions, including solid and hematologic tumors. Nonetheless, there exist no reports on cerebral infarctions caused by HE associated with lung cancer metastasis to the bone marrow.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 67-year-old man with multiple cerebral infarctions associated with HE. His white blood cell and eosinophil counts were 38,900/μL and 13,600/μL, respectively, at 4 weeks before admission. During treatment for HE, he presented with dysarthria and walking difficulties. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple small infarcts in regions such as the bilateral cortex, watershed area, and cerebellum. Chest computed tomography showed small nodes in the lung and enlargement of the left hilar lymph nodes. Bronchoscopic biopsy did not reveal a tumor; however, bone marrow biopsy showed infiltration of tumor cells. We considered a diagnosis of lung cancer metastasizing to the bone marrow, which induced HE and later caused cerebral infarctions.

Conclusions

This case report demonstrates that metastatic cancer in the bone marrow can induce HE, which can consequently cause multiple cerebral infarctions. Clinicians should consider HE as a cause of multiple cerebral infarctions in patients with cancer.

Cerebral Infarction and Myalgia in a 75-year-old Man with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare condition of systemic vasculitis of small to medium-sized blood vessels. We herein report the case of a 75-year-old man who presented with hemiplegia on his right side due to cerebral infarction following myalgia and a high fever. He had no history of asthma or allergic rhinitis. He was diagnosed with EGPA based on the presence of eosinophilia, sinusitis suggested by magnetic resonance imaging, and muscle pathology. His hemiplegia improved rapidly after corticosteroid therapy. This case suggests that EGPA should be a differential diagnosis of cerebral infarction with myalgia and eosinophilia.