CASE REPORT

A 54 year old woman with an acute, severe headache, nausea, and difficulty in speech the day after an infusion of IVIg (21 g) was admitted to the neurosurgical unit. She had suffered a previous episode of headache, vomiting, and photophobia five months earlier, also after IVIg, and had recently experienced an increase in the frequency of “migraines” during and immediately after IVIg infusions. She had been receiving IVIg every three weeks following a diagnosis of an isolated IgG1 deficiency two years earlier, having presented with recurrent bacterial chest infections and sinusitis for over 40 years. Computed tomography scans then had revealed chronic sinusitis and bronchiectasis; causes other than an isolated IgG deficiency had been eliminated.

Before admission to the neurosurgical unit she had suffered from a fit and magnetic resonance imaging had shown bilateral transverse and sagittal sinus thrombosis with secondary haemorrhage. There was no evidence of acute infection. Management included anticonvulsant treatment, anticoagulation with heparin and then warfarin for three months, and discontinuation of hormone replacement treatment. The serum immunoglobulin concentrations were normal, including IgG subclasses (table 1¹), and protective amounts of IgG antibodies to pathogens were detected; these were performed 16 weeks after the last IVIg infusion; IVIg infusions were not restarted.

The speech problems and headache resolved quickly and she was discharged within five days. During the stay it was noted that she had a high platelet count (> 600 × 10⁹/litre) on two occasions without evidence of infection; previously high platelet counts (> 1000 × 10⁹/litre) had been attributed to chronic infection. A bone marrow aspirate was performed and showed a hypercellular marrow with very active megakaryocytopoiesis. The trephine confirmed vastly increased numbers of pleomorphic megakaryocytes, confirming thrombocythaemia, and a diagnosis of primary thrombocythaemia was made. Treatment was started with hydroxyurea. She made a good response to treatment, with a decrease in frequency and severity of the headaches, which eventually stopped. Prophylactic antibiotics have reduced the number of bacterial chest infections and nasal corticosteroids improved the chronic sinusitis.

DISCUSSION

The widespread use of IVIg preparations has resulted in a worldwide shortage of these expensive products and they should only be used when the criteria for a diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency have been met.⁴ These criteria include a reduction of IgG and one other major immunoglobulin isotype in the serum, in conjunction with failure to respond to immunisation and/or exposure antigens, and documented recurrent bacterial infections.

Adverse reactions to high dose treatment are known to include severe headaches and aseptic meningism, but are unusual in patients receiving replacement immunoglobulin doses.

Thrombosis after IVIg treatment is rare,^5–7 especially after replacement doses. The mechanisms that contribute to this are unknown, although contamination of IVIg preparations by coagulation factor XI has been postulated.⁸

“All patients should have a thorough risk–benefit assessment done before starting treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, especially if this is to be life long”

The patient suffered a thrombosis of the transverse sinus, originally thought to be an intracerebral tumour. The transverse sinus thrombosis was originally considered to be an apparent complication of increased viscosity associated with the IVIg replacement treatment but in fact she had primary thrombocythaemia (probably long standing), and lateral sinus thrombosis is a known risk in this disease.⁹ Thrombocythaemia is also known to cause headaches⁹; in this case, the combination of those two factors may have contributed to the presentation, although primary thrombocythaemia alone is a sufficient cause of central nervous system thrombosis.

The main lesson to be learnt from this case was not to dismiss severe recurrent headaches following IVIg treatment, despite a previous history of migraine, and even though mild headaches are a common adverse event. In such a situation, consider thrombosis in cerebral vessels. Other contributing factors should be sought, such as a raised platelet count, together with reasons for raised serum viscosity, including paraproteinaemia or coagulopathy.

The criteria for a diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency, including failure to produce specific IgG antibodies to immunisation and/or exposure antigens, should always be followed and the finding of low serum immunoglobulins checked on several occasions to ensure that an isolated IgG subclass deficiency is not transient. All patients should have a thorough risk–benefit assessment done before starting treatment with IVIg, especially if this is to be life long.

CONCLUSION

It is uncommon for headaches after IVIg to be severe, recurrent, and complicated by nausea and photophobia. In such a situation it is necessary to consider sinus thrombosis and look for additional risk factors.