Multiple cerebral infarction linked to underlying cancer: a review of Trousseau syndrome-related cerebral infarction

Trousseau syndrome is a cancer-associated hypercoagulative state leading to venous or arterial thromboembolic events. Cerebral infarction is the most common result of arterial embolism and the pathogenesis is complicated, mainly associated with hypercoagulation and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. On magnetic resonance imaging, multiple lesions are dispersed in more than two territories of the brain, often simultaneously involving the bilateral anterior and posterior circulation. Elevated plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products may be seen in these patients. There are high rates of short-term recurrence of stroke and sudden death, highlighting the need for early recognition and appropriate treatment of Trousseau syndrome-associated cerebral infarction.