Cold-induced reversible brain ischemia in mixed connective tissue disease, a case report

Abstract

A 19-year-old woman with long-standing mixed connective tissue disease was admitted for dizziness. We examined cerebral blood flow quantitation using 99mTc-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at rest and after cold pressor test. Mean cerebral blood flow reduced remarkably when she complained dizziness and showed peripheral Raynaud’s phenomenon after cold exposure. We concluded cold-induced reversible brain ischemia was the reason of dizziness. Our finding suggests brain Raynaud’s phenomenon. Further studies are necessary to clarify this phenomenon. © 1999, The Japan Society for Clinical Immunology. All rights reserved.