Relationship between platelet and white blood cell counts during the early phase of cerebral infarction.

In the pathogenesis of cerebral venous thrombosis in SLE, nephrotic syndrome may play a role, but clearly is inconstant. Lupus anticoagulant is found in many patients and is frequently associated with other abnormalities, such as false positive serological tests for syphilis or anticardiolipin antibodies. These abnormalities are found in "classical" lupus, but also in nosological situations less clearly defined due to the absence of clinical symptoms of SLE and the negativity of antinuclear antibodies. Some authors refer to the latter as "antiphospholipid syndrome."'' In fact, as we have shown, a continuum exists between these two extremes; both clinical and biological markers of SLE can occur secondarily. Thus, we think it both logical and valid to regroup these conditions, which share the same clinical complications of recurrent abortions, peripheral thrombocytopenia, and cerebral venous thrombosis.