Limb-shaking transient ischemic attacks: Two case reports with unusual pathogenesis

Limb-shaking transient ischemic attacks are associated with transient regional cerebral hypoperfusion and severe carotid stenosis. We report two patients with unusual pathogenesis of limb-shaking attacks, one a 73-year-old woman with right-sided limb-shaking attacks and normal carotid angiography (recently diagnosed with essential thrombocytosis, antiplatelet agents eliminated her attacks) and the other a 56-year-old woman with peptic ulcer disease and multiple episodes of left-sided limb-shaking. Severe anemia was found along with bilateral carotid stenoses >70%. Correction of her anemia abolished her limb-shaking episodes. The presumed pathogenesis of limb-shaking transient ischemic attacks is transient focal cerebral ischemia from severe occlusive disease. Our two patients demonstrate that the mechanisms of ischemia may include other factors that affect oxygen delivery such as anemia or platelet disorders.