The natural course of Sneddon syndrome: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in a prospective six year observation study.

[sneddon syndrome]

Sneddon syndrome (SS ) is increasingly recognised as a cause of ischaemic stroke in young adults . As the natural course of SS is not well defined , the authors performed a prospective six year clinical and neuroradiological follow up study . Thirteen patients with definite diagnosis of SS (livedo racemosa , characteristic skin biopsy , and history of stroke ) entered a follow up programme that consisted of clinical examinations , two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) investigations , and a comprehensive laboratory follow up protocol . The most frequent clinical findings during follow up had been headache (62 %) and vertigo (54 %). Seven patients (54 %) suffered from transient ischaemic attacks , however , completed stroke has not been obtained during follow up . Progression of white matter lesions detected in MRI were present in 10 of 13 patients . Laboratory follow up protocol revealed transient antiphospholipid antibodies in two subjects . This prospective six year follow up study suggests a low incidence of territorial stroke but outlines progressive leucencephalopathy in patients with SS .