Cerebral embolism caused by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

Abstract

In a general autopsy series, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis was the cause of 9.5% of cases of cerebral embolism. Cerebral symptoms preceded death by as long as 2 months and were sometimes accompanied by signs of peripheral thrombophlebitis. Disseminated cancer was the most commonly associated disease. In patients with cancer, sudden onset of focal cerebral signs should suggest cerebral embolism from nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis.