Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes

Introduction Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare hematological disorder defined by persistently elevated blood eosinophil count (>1500/μL), associated with evidence of organ damage. It can occasionally present primarily with neurological conditions such as ischemic strokes, encephalopathy,...

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Main Authors: Gunjanpreet Kaur, Wilson Rodriguez, Divya Singh, Rachel Cadmus, Aimalohi Esechie, Randall Edgell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-11-01
Series:Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology
Online Access:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.112
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author Gunjanpreet Kaur
Wilson Rodriguez
Divya Singh
Rachel Cadmus
Aimalohi Esechie
Randall Edgell
author_facet Gunjanpreet Kaur
Wilson Rodriguez
Divya Singh
Rachel Cadmus
Aimalohi Esechie
Randall Edgell
author_sort Gunjanpreet Kaur
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare hematological disorder defined by persistently elevated blood eosinophil count (>1500/μL), associated with evidence of organ damage. It can occasionally present primarily with neurological conditions such as ischemic strokes, encephalopathy, or sensory neuropathy. Driving hypothesized mechanisms are hypercoagulability owing to eosinophil‐related endothelial damage or cardioembolism. We present an unusual case of ischemic strokes due to HES in the setting of Fip1‐like 1‐platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (FIP1L1‐PDGFRA) mutation. Methods The patient was identified in routine clinical practice. Results 38 year‐old‐male with no significant medical history who was transferred to our institution for blurred vision, and dizziness. His initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 3 for bilateral leg weakness. The neurological exam was pertinent for paresis in his left arm and legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated multiple acute infarcts in bilateral cortical and subcortical structures as shown in Figure 1. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the brain and neck did not show significant stenosis or occlusion. During admission, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) did not reveal any source for cardioembolism. Subsequently, he developed hyperactive delirium requiring anti‐psychotics. He was worked up for any infectious etiology because he continued to have a leukocytosis with an eosinophil count as high as 49%. Doppler of lower extremities showed deep vein thrombosis in the left femoral vein. Hematology evaluated the patient and, after performing a bone marrow biopsy, he was diagnosed with primary Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) in the setting of FIP1L1‐PDGFRA mutation. He was started on high‐dose methylprednisolone, hydroxyurea and later switched to Imatinib. A cardiac MRI was performed which was negative for eosinophilic myocarditis. The patient's mental status improved significantly after starting Imatinib and his anti‐psychotics were discontinued. In regards to secondary prevention, vascular neurology wanted antiplatelet monotherapy, however, the patient was started on Apixaban to treat his DVT. He was followed up in the stroke clinic 2 months after discharge, his modified Rankin score (mRS) was 1. Aspirin was recommended for secondary stroke prevention once hematology considers it safe to discontinue apixaban. Conclusion This case encourages the consideration of HES in patients with low cardiovascular risk factors who have infarcts following a cardioembolic or watershed pattern in brain imaging. Going back to the basics and reviewing simple laboratory tests like cell blood count can be the initial clue for diagnosis. Early recognition is crucial as immunosuppression is the most important treatment in the acute phase. While imatinib is the treatment of choice for FIP1L1‐PDGFRA mutation HES, patients continued to be at risk of stroke recurrence despite having normal eosinophil count as described by Rohmer et al.
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spelling doaj.art-3c41ef957b9b47f2b1786924d128187d2024-05-01T05:13:11ZengWileyStroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology2694-57462023-11-013S210.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.112Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic StrokesGunjanpreet Kaur0Wilson Rodriguez1Divya Singh2Rachel Cadmus3Aimalohi Esechie4Randall Edgell5Saint Louis University School of Medicine Missouri United StatesSaint Louis University School of Medicine Missouri United StatesSaint Louis University Hospital and School of Medicine Missouri United StatesSaint Louis University School of Medicine Missouri United StatesSaint Louis University Hospital and School of Medicine Missouri United StatesSaint Louis University Hospital and School of Medicine Missouri United StatesIntroduction Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare hematological disorder defined by persistently elevated blood eosinophil count (>1500/μL), associated with evidence of organ damage. It can occasionally present primarily with neurological conditions such as ischemic strokes, encephalopathy, or sensory neuropathy. Driving hypothesized mechanisms are hypercoagulability owing to eosinophil‐related endothelial damage or cardioembolism. We present an unusual case of ischemic strokes due to HES in the setting of Fip1‐like 1‐platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (FIP1L1‐PDGFRA) mutation. Methods The patient was identified in routine clinical practice. Results 38 year‐old‐male with no significant medical history who was transferred to our institution for blurred vision, and dizziness. His initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 3 for bilateral leg weakness. The neurological exam was pertinent for paresis in his left arm and legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated multiple acute infarcts in bilateral cortical and subcortical structures as shown in Figure 1. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the brain and neck did not show significant stenosis or occlusion. During admission, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) did not reveal any source for cardioembolism. Subsequently, he developed hyperactive delirium requiring anti‐psychotics. He was worked up for any infectious etiology because he continued to have a leukocytosis with an eosinophil count as high as 49%. Doppler of lower extremities showed deep vein thrombosis in the left femoral vein. Hematology evaluated the patient and, after performing a bone marrow biopsy, he was diagnosed with primary Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) in the setting of FIP1L1‐PDGFRA mutation. He was started on high‐dose methylprednisolone, hydroxyurea and later switched to Imatinib. A cardiac MRI was performed which was negative for eosinophilic myocarditis. The patient's mental status improved significantly after starting Imatinib and his anti‐psychotics were discontinued. In regards to secondary prevention, vascular neurology wanted antiplatelet monotherapy, however, the patient was started on Apixaban to treat his DVT. He was followed up in the stroke clinic 2 months after discharge, his modified Rankin score (mRS) was 1. Aspirin was recommended for secondary stroke prevention once hematology considers it safe to discontinue apixaban. Conclusion This case encourages the consideration of HES in patients with low cardiovascular risk factors who have infarcts following a cardioembolic or watershed pattern in brain imaging. Going back to the basics and reviewing simple laboratory tests like cell blood count can be the initial clue for diagnosis. Early recognition is crucial as immunosuppression is the most important treatment in the acute phase. While imatinib is the treatment of choice for FIP1L1‐PDGFRA mutation HES, patients continued to be at risk of stroke recurrence despite having normal eosinophil count as described by Rohmer et al.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.112
spellingShingle Gunjanpreet Kaur
Wilson Rodriguez
Divya Singh
Rachel Cadmus
Aimalohi Esechie
Randall Edgell
Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology
title Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
title_full Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
title_fullStr Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
title_full_unstemmed Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
title_short Abstract 112: When Cell Blood Count Matter, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome a Rare Cause of Ischemic Strokes
title_sort abstract 112 when cell blood count matter hypereosinophilic syndrome a rare cause of ischemic strokes
url https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.112
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