CATASTROPHIC ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME AN D OSTEOARTICULAR FAT NECROSIS

The antiphospholipid syndrome produces acute occlusions of arteries an d veins. This syndrome can cause a multiple organ systems failure whos e outcome is often fatal. The authors report a case of the primary, an tiphospholipid syndrome characterized by this fatal outcome, a so - ca lled ''devastating'' syndrome following pulse steroids. In this patien t, the antiphospholipid antibodies had been found after presenting bon e-marrow fat necrosis, which led to extensive lesions of knees, hips a nd shoulders. Damage to the cell membranes in necrotic lesions might h ave promoted the immune response against phospholipids. The potential risks of pulse doses of steroids in the antiphospholipid syndrome are documented by the present observation, which also suggests that antiph ospholipid antibodies should be determined in cases of fat necrosis of all origins.