A Case of Essential Thrombocytosis with Cerebral Infarction

ABSTRACT

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder, characterized predominantly by a markedly elevated platelet count without known cause. We report a case of essential thrombocytosis, the only clinical manifestation of which consisted of neurologic symptoms, including headache, dysarthria, right hemiparesis with a relatively benign and slowly progressive clinical course. Neuroradiologic examination (Brain CT and MRI) disclosed a multiple infarction in the both basal ganglia and left parietal region. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible pathogenetic mechanisms of the vascular occlusion due to abnormal platelet function in ET.