Stroke-like Migraine Attacks after Radiation Therapy (SMART) Syndrome Followed by Cerebral Infarction

Intern Med. 2018 Jul 1;57(13):1921-1924. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9579-17. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Abstract

A 36-year-old man with a history of irradiation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed headache with cortical dysfunction lasting for 4 weeks. The clinical features were consistent with stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome. Six months later, he developed cerebral infarction due to occlusions of the left anterior and middle cerebral arteries. This is the first case report describing SMART syndrome followed by severe cerebral infarction. Although an association between the two episodes was not assumed, this case indicates that protective therapies against infarction might need to be considered for patients with SMART syndrome.

Keywords: acute lymphoblastic leukemia; cerebral infarction; irradiation; late-onset complication; stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Radiation Injuries
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Syndrome