A Case of Postpartum Cerebral Angiopathy Following Ergot Alkaloid Medication

ABSTRACT

We report a 32-year-old woman who developed an altered consciousness and quadriparesis three days after ingesting an ergot alkaloid derivative to suppress lactation. Brain MRI showed extensive cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation territory with multifocal vasoconstriction in the intracranial vessels including both the middle cerebral arteries. Extensive studies for stroke etiology are negative. Follow-up MRA and serial TCD studies revealed that reVersible vasospasm was the mechanism. This case is additional evidence that ergot derivatives may lead to postpartum cerebral angiopathy.