ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME MIMICKING MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS CLINICALLY AND BY MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, frequently seen in young individuals, is often associated with transient ischemic attacks or strokes. In some cases, this syndrome may be difficult to distinguish from exacerbating and remitting multiple sclerosis. We report four such cases. In addition, the finding of hyperintense signals on magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis may also be seen in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, as demonstrated in these cases. Small strokes that affect the white matter in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome may be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis.