1. Introduction
Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) is a repetitive episode of motor and/or sensory symptoms. This condition is associated with a high risk of developing a complete stroke. Previous findings have shown that the incidence of CWS in TIA patients was 1.5% - 4.5% [1] [2] [3]. The duration of each episode of CWS varied and one study found that the mean duration of each episode was 6.1 minutes [3]. Nicola et al. previously reported that CWS had a poor 7-day stroke risk forecast of 60 per cent [2] with the most frequent location was internal capsule (50%). However, some studies have shown that ischaemic can occur in other locations including thalamus, midbrain, pons, and striatum [4] [5]. There is no definitive treatment for CWS. To our knowledge, various treatments were available for CWS, such as intravenous thrombolysis, single or double antiplatelet (DAPT), anticoagulant and vasopressor however there was no conclusive data [3] [6] - [12].
2. Case Report
A 56-year-old gentleman, with history of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus type 2 and morbid obesity presented with left sided weakness and numbness associated with dysarthria after waking up from sleep. He was well the night before. On examination, his vital signs were as follows; high blood pressure of 183/76, pulse rate of 80 beats per minute with normal body temperature and oxygenation. On neurological examination, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was full 15/15 with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 4/42. He was orientated but dysarthria speech. He had reduced muscle power of 3/5 over the left upper and lower limb with bilateral symmetrical reflexes and downward going plantar. No facial asymmetry, cranial nerve abnormalities, neglect, gaze paralysis or cerebellar ataxia were elicited. The sensory examination was normal. Other systemic examinations were unremarkable. Routine blood investigations were performed with the following results: haemoglobin (Hb) 15.9 g/dL, white blood count (WBC) 12.9 × 109/L and a platelet count of 394 × 109/L. Lipid profile results were as follows; triglyceride (TG) 2.7 mmol/l, low density lipoprotein (LDL) 2.5 mmol/l and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 1.0 mmol/l (Table 1). His brain’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed acute right basal ganglia infarction and small vessel disease respectively (Figures 1-3). He was not treated with thrombolytic therapy in view of his low NIHSS score and appeared out of the thrombolysis window. He was given with a combination of antiplatelet of aspirin and clopidogrel. In addition to the double antiplatelet (DAPT), he was also started with statin and antihypertensive. During his hospitalisation, he experienced 3 episodes of left hemiparesis with dysarthric speech lasting between 5 to 15 minutes with full resolutions of symptoms in between. These fluctuating neurological episodes typically begin upon waking up from sleep or at rest. Repeated MRI brain showed no new infarct lesion with non-evolving basal ganglia infarct. On the fourth day of his hospitalisation, he developed a permanent left hemiparesis and mild dysarthric speech. He then underwent an intensive rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy to restore his physical function. Upon discharge, his functional Modified Rankin Score (MRS) was three at discharge and improved to two at 90 days stroke assessment. He had a favourable physical function and to meet his own needs without assistance.
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Figure 1. MRI Diffusion-weighted imaging/Apparent diffusion coefficient (DWI/ADC) showed presence of restricted diffusion seen at posterior limb of right internal capsule as evidenced by hyperintensity on DWI (a) and hypointensity on ADC (b).
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Figure 2. MRI FLAIR showed hyperintensity signal at posterior limb of right internal capsule and bilateral periventricular hyperintensities in keeping with small vessel disease.
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Table 1. Blood investigations to assess the stroke risk.
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Figure 3. MRA showed both ICA, MCA, ACA, PCOM, ACOM and Vertebrobasilar are patent. ICA indicates Internal carotid artery; MCA, middle cerebral artery; ACA, Anterior cerebral artery; PCOM, Posterior communicating artery; and ACOM, Anterior communicating artery.
3. Discussion
Capsular warning syndrome consists of intermittent transient cerebral ischemia, which often occurs at the same time. Donnan et al. were the first person to identify a group of patients who had three or more identical episodes of “crescendo transient ischaemic attack” within 24 hours and affecting face, arm and leg without cortical symptoms [3]. In severe cases, CWS occurs as three or more recurrent episodes within 24 hours [13]. As in our case, the patient had three distinct episodes of neurological fluctuation within 48 to 72 hours. There is no exact pathophysiology for CWS but common risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and smoking are correlated with CWS, which suggests that atherosclerosis may be associated with CWS pathogenesis. On the other hand, some authors have argued that intermittent haemodynamic changes secondary to structural arterial changes or hypertension may be the mechanism of action in CWS [3] [14]. Terai et al. has reported that serial MRI in initial transient symptoms of CWS denotes hypoperfusion of perforator arteries while ultimate core infarction reflects thrombosis in artery with diminished cerebral blood flow [15]. The clinical management of CWS has not been extensively studied. Different treatment modalities have been proposed, including intravenous thrombolysis [1] [16], single or double antiplatelet (DAPT) [8] [17], anticoagulant [3] and vasopressor [7]. There were few case reports which highlighted the effectiveness of DAPT in the treatment of capsular warning syndrome. The combination of aspirin and clopidogrel (DAPT) is believed to inhibit platelet aggregation via the P2Y12-receptor, prostaglandin, and thromboxane A2 pathways. One case series reported in two CWS patients who had no symptoms of progression following DAPT [17] and another retrospective study showed that DAPT was associated with improved functional outcomes in the early neurological deficit and decreased clinical fluctuations [18]. Meanwhile, Hawkes et al. found that intravenous thrombolysis and DAPT were both effective in reducing fluctuating symptoms in a large group of patients with capsular or stuttering lacunar syndrome (SLS) [19]. On the other hand, Kawano et al. addressing the loading dose of clopidogrel combined with other antithrombotic therapy may be an effective treatment for CWS [20]. Single antiplatelet, intravenous heparin and combination aspirin and dipyridamole were less effective in CWS [19]. In our case, we used DAPT to treat CWS and the functional outcome was slightly favourable. There was no further neurological deterioration in the patient following the 90-day post-treatment outcome assessment. Pressure therapy (mainly phenylephrine) has also been suggested for the treatment of choice. The assumption of its benefit is based on the penetrating vessel hypoperfusion related to blood pressure fluctuations. To date, our patient did not experience a decrease in blood pressure (hypoperfusion) during neurological fluctuations episodes. In summary, we report a case of CWS with fluctuating neurological symptoms showing consistent and favourable outcomes at 90 days of treatment with DAPT. In the light of this single case report, we would suggest a randomized control study to clarify the role of DAPT as one of the important therapeutic options for CWS patients.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Informed Consent
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient in order to publish this case report.
Authorship Contributions
Idea/Concept: Azliza İbrahim, Ahmad Firdaus; Control/Supervision: Alvin Oliver Payus.
Data Collection and/or Processing: Azliza Ibrahim, Ahmad Firdaus.
Literature Review: Azliza Ibrahim, Alvin Oliver Payus.
Writing the Article: Azliza İbrahim.