Stroke caused by an inflammatory thrombus: a case report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Stroke is a primary global cause of death and disability.
• While traditional risk factors are known, infectious agents may also precipitate stroke.
• Understanding non-traditional stroke triggers is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Observation:

• A 46-year-old male presented with fever, headache, and memory impairment, progressing to consciousness disturbance.
• Diagnosis included Staphylococcus aureus sepsis, massive cerebral infarction, and hemorrhagic transformation.
• Cerebral imaging, blood cultures, and pathological exams confirmed the diagnosis.

Findings:

• The patient's neurological symptoms significantly improved with vancomycin antibiotic therapy and standard stroke management.
• This case highlights a direct link between Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and severe cerebrovascular events.
• Inflammatory thrombus formation in the internal carotid artery system was a key pathological finding.

Implications:

• Infectious etiologies should be investigated in stroke patients presenting with signs of infection, especially those lacking conventional risk factors.
• Early recognition and treatment of sepsis are critical for managing infectious-induced stroke.
• This case underscores the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis in stroke management.