[A case of dural sinus thrombosis during the medication of medroxyprogesterone acetate]

It is reported that medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) causes venous thrombosis as one of the side effects. A 49-year-old woman suffering from metastatic lung carcinoma from breast carcinoma was administered MPA 1200 mg/day for about four months. Thereafter she complained of dizziness about two weeks but the general practitioners could detect no abnormality on physical examinations and on brain CT X-ray findings. Six days later, she died suddenly at her home. Forensic autopsy findings revealed the marked superior sagital sinus thrombosis and the malignant lymphadenomatosis caused by metastatic lung carcinoma. As the patient had not disease or trauma causing dural sinus thrombosis except for the administration of MPA, we concluded that superior sagital sinus thrombosis was due to the medication of MPA. This case illustrates that forensic pathologist should consider the major side effect of some drugs like our case.