Intracranial Major Artery and Venous Sinus Thrombosis in a Young Male with MTHFR Mutation and Protein S Deficiency

Abstract

This case represents a unique example of stroke in a young patient involving major venous sinuses as well as major artery in a span of 6 months. After evaluation, he was found to have an abnormal thrombophilia profile. In young patients with recurrent stroke, investigating for an abnormal thrombophilia profile is crucial.

Introduction

This case represents a unique example of stroke in a young patient involving major venous sinuses as well as major artery in a span of 6 months. After evaluation, he was found to have an abnormal thrombophilia profile. In young patients with recurrent stroke, investigating for an abnormal thrombophilia profile is crucial.

Patient Information

A 32-year-old male patient was evaluated for recurrent stroke within a span of 6 months. He is an alcoholic and smoker for 6 years.

Clinical Findings and Timeline

The patient presented with headache of 5-day duration and right-sided weakness for 1 day. There were no fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or recent trauma. He had a pulse of 90 per minute and regular rhythm and blood pressure 140/80 mm Hg. On neurological examination, he was conscious oriented and had right hemiparesis with right facial palsy. His routine blood tests like complete blood count, liver function, renal function tests, lipid profile, and fasting and postprandial blood sugar were normal. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of sinus rhythm, and 2D echo and X-ray chest were normal. He underwent MRI brain which showed 2 patchy areas of the left high frontal acute infarcts (Fig. 1). Considering the patient's age, symptoms, and location of infarcts, he underwent contrast venography, which revealed thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, right transverse, sigmoid sinus, and right internal jugular vein. Contrast venography revealed filling defect in almost all right-sided major venous sinuses. In view of the above findings, the patient was given heparin followed by oral anticoagulation. Hemiparesis recovered within few weeks.

Fig. 1.

a T1 C axial − left high frontal hypointensity and filling defect in SSS. b, c T2 axial and FLAIR axial − left frontal hyperintensities. d, e Three-dimensional reconstructed images of contrast venography − right transverse, sigmoid, and SSS filling defect. SSS, superior sagittal sinus.

Five months later, he developed left hemiplegia with dysarthria. Initially, he also had left-sided hemineglect which recovered within 1 week. He underwent CT brain which showed acute infarct involving the right MCA territory. MR angiography showed right ICA and right MCA complete thrombosis (Fig. 2). Antiplatelets were prescribed. Warfarin was continued. There was partial recovery with treatment and physiotherapy. But after 1 month, he developed severe headache, vomiting, and increase in existing left-sided weakness. He was drowsy but obeying commands. CT brain revealed hemorrhagic transformation of the right MCA infarct with midline shift of 1 cm. All blood thinners were stopped. He received antiedema treatment. During the hospital course, his sensorium improved and headache subsided. He was prescribed vitamin B12 supplement, antiepileptic, and lipid-lowering medication.

Fig. 2.

a DWI, b ADC, and c FLAIR axial − right MCA acute infarct. d MRAngio-right ICA and right MCA showing complete thrombosis. e CT axial section − hemorrhagic transformation with midline shift. f, g Follow-up MR venography shows partial recanalization of SSS but persistent right transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis.

Diagnostic Assessment

Specific blood investigations were sent in a follow-up visit at 4 weeks (Table 1; thrombophilia profile). Anti-nuclear antibody profile, p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and c-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. Serum homocysteine was normal. The thrombophilia profile was sent: protein S activity, protein C activity, antithrombin III activity, APCR-activated protein C resistance, lupus anticoagulant profile, cardiolipin antibody ACL-IgG, cardiolipin antibody ACL-IgM, factor V mutation, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation, and factor II (prothrombin) mutation. Amongst all the above tests, protein S activity was low with a low value of protein S antigen (free) as well. Also, MTHFR mutations, (C677T) and (A1298C), were detected.

Table 1.

Thrombophilia profile of the patient

Test name	Observed value	Normal range
Protein S activity, %	23	77–143
Protein S antigen (free) (citrated plasma, immunoturbidiometry), %	87	89.5–128.5
Protein C activity, %	98	70–130
Antithrombin III activity, %	112	80–120
APCR-activated protein C resistance	156.2 s	<OR = 120
Lupus anticoagulant	Absent	Absent
aPTT (test)	31.1 s	35.08–43.81
DRVV screen (test)	37.3 s	32.50–45.86
Cardiolipin antibody ACL − IgG (serum, EIA)	Negative (3.58) GPL U/mL	Negative: <10 Positive: ≥10
Cardiolipin antibody ACL − IgM (serum, EIA)	Negative (2.98) MPL U/mL	Negative: <7 Positive: ≥7
PR3 − ANCA (C-ANCA) ELISA	3.5 U/mL	<6 U/mL
MPO − ANCA (P-ANCA) ELISA	2.36 U/mL	<12.0 U/mL
Anti-phospholipid antibody − IgG ELISA	2.72 U/mL	<12
Anti-phospholipid antibody − IgM ELISA	2.97 U/mL	<12
Homocysteine photometry	11.7 µmol/L	<30
ANA profile	Negative
Factor V Leiden mutation	Not detected
Factor II (prothrombin) mutation	Not detected
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, mutation (C677T)	Detected
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, mutation (A1298C)	Detected

Therapeutic Information

For the first stroke due to venous sinus thrombosis, he received heparin followed by warfarin. He was also prescribed antiepileptic levetiracetam. In view of the right MCA infarct, aspirin and clopidogrel 75 mg each were prescribed. Due to hemorrhagic transformation, warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel were stopped for 6 weeks. Then, blood thinners were introduced one by one. Initially, aspirin 75 mg was added, which was increased to 150 mg after 4 weeks. Dabigatran was added 8 weeks from the introduction of aspirin. As the patient was not keen on doing regular PT INR monitoring, dabigatran was added which does not require INR testing. He also received levetiracetam and atorvastatin.

Follow-Up and Outcome

Gradually symptomatic as well as clinical improvement was noted. Six months after the second stroke, the left upper and lower limb power was 3/5.

Discussions

It is very unusual to have intracranial arterial as well as venous stroke that too involving major arteries and major venous sinuses. The patient is an example of a very rare case with both intracranial major arterial as well as major venous sinuses thrombosis.

It has been discussed that venous and arterial thromboses are different manifestations of the same disease. As there are some common risk factors for both arterial and venous thromboses, it is possible that both types share a common underlying pathophysiology [1, 2, 3]. It has also been observed that patients with venous thromboembolism have increased risk of arterial strokes [4].

In this case, the patient is young and had major intracranial artery thrombosis which is unusual at this age. Arterial thrombosis occurred only 5 months after venous thrombosis. The patient was on oral anticoagulant while he developed arterial stroke. Although venous sinus thrombosis can be explained by presence of MTHFR mutation and protein S deficiency, it is possible that these abnormalities could have played an important role in developing major artery thrombosis as well. There are few reports in the literature which have shown association of MTHFR mutation and protein S deficiency as an independent risk factor for arterial stroke. And, this association has been observed mainly in young arterial strokes.

According to previous studies, it has been suggested that MTHFR is associated with young arterial strokes [5]. Homozygotes are found to have more risk compared to heterozygotes in MTHFR 677T mutation [6]. According to another study, MTHFR mutation combined with other genetic mutations is associated with arterial stroke in the young [7]. Heterozygote mutation is also associated with recurrent arterial stroke [8].

Patients with protein S deficiency are at higher risk of arterial thromboembolism below 55 years of age [9, 10]. In 1 case, protein S deficiency was associated with arterial stroke followed by pulmonary thromboembolism [11]. Protein S deficiency has also been described with recurrent ischemic stroke [12]. Thus, it is important to find out the etiology of stroke in young patients.

The patient was consuming alcohol intermittently in moderate quantity since 6 years. He used to smoke about 5–10 cigarettes per day since 6 years. In addition to abnormal thrombophilia, alcohol and smoking could have played a role in the formation of the thrombus.

Statement of Ethics

The report is exempt from ethics committee approval because this study is a case report and did not require any new intervention. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Funding Sources

This case study did not require any funding source.

Data Availability Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article.