Refractory convulsive syncope in pregnancy: a rare presentation of Takayasu's arteritis - a case report and literature review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Neurological manifestation of Takayasu's Arteritis (TA) in pregnancy presenting as convulsive syncope is extremely rare, and poses a serious diagnostic dilemma due to other vast causes of fits in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed to present and shed more light on a case of TA with convulsive syncope in pregnancy refractory to anticonvulsants for seven weeks, and review the literature on the management of TA in pregnancy.

CASE PRESENTATION:

A gravida 4 para 3+0 at 28 weeks of amenorrhea presented with repeated episodes of the sudden loss of consciousness, followed by a fall and jerking of the limbs. These were refractory to anticonvulsants that she had used for seven weeks. Physical examination revealed undetectable pulse and blood pressure (BP) in the upper limbs but elevated BP in the lower limbs. Further investigations confirmed TA and she improved on steroids and antihypertensives.

CONCLUSION:

This case typically describes the unexpected presentation of TA with convulsive syncope. It calls for meticulous clinical assessment of epileptic seizures in pregnancy to avoid a late diagnosis of TA and its potential poor outcomes.

• Authors: Gasthony Alobo, Violah Nahurira, Venice Omona, Pontius Bayo, Sam Olum
• Journal: African health sciences (Afr Health Sci) Vol. 21 Issue 2 Pg. 852-857 (Jun 2021) ISSN: 1729-0503 [Electronic] Uganda
• PMID: 34795744 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2021 Alobo G et al.

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Pregnancy
• Syncope (diagnosis)
• Takayasu Arteritis (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Treatment Failure