TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER DETECTION OF MICROEMBOLI IN A STROKE PATIENT WITH POLYCYTHEMIA-RUBRA-VERA

We report a case of a 63-year-old man without known risk factors for c erebrovascular disease who developed a right hemiparesis with slow ons et and subsequent clinical improvement. Cerebral computed tomography a nd magnetic resonance showed two left hemispheric infarctions with hem orrhagic transformation. Transcranial Doppler examination showed a lef t middle cerebral artery stenosis and frequent high-intensity transien t signals (HITS) only on the left side. Hematological tests revealed p olycythemia rubra vera. Clinical improvement was associated with a red uction in the number of HITS on transcranial Doppler and a reduction i n hematocrit levels. To our Knowledge, this is the first report of HIT S on transcranial Doppler in a stroke patient with polycythemia rubra vera.