Progressive Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction in a Patient with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is frequently associated with small cortical and subcortical infarcts. However, major intracranial artery occlusion is rare. We report a case of progressive middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction in a patient with TTP. A 76-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted due to right hemiparesis and transcortical motor aphasia. On laboratory findings, she had microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Brain MRI showed left subcortical multiple infarction, and MR angiogram revealed severe stenosis of left MCA main stem. She was treated with heparin and steroid but a few days later, there was neurologic deterioration attributed to progressive occlusive stroke in the left MCA territory. Follow-up brain CT demonstrated left malignant MCA infarction. TTP may be associated with progressive occlusion of large cerebral artery.