Stroke associated with primary membranous nephropathy in a young adult: Case report

Introduction: Stroke in young individuals is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Its causes can vary widely, so a thorough investigation by a multidisciplinary team is needed. Pinpointing the precise underlying pathology responsible for the stroke yields benefits for patients, particularly in recurrent events.

Case presentation: A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of stroke, including right hemiparesis, dysarthria, ataxic gait, and right central facial palsy. The brain magnetic resonance image revealed an ischemic lesion located in the left basal ganglia and near the corona radiata. Following an extensive workup, a diagnosis of nephrotic was reached. Histopathology and the exclusion of secondary causes confirmed primary membranous nephropathy as the underlying condition. The patient underwent treatment tailored to address the specific glomerulopathy, along with anticoagulation therapy and immunosuppression as per current guidelines. Subsequent assessments showed stabilization of renal function, resolution of the edema, and the absence of new thromboembolic events during follow-up.

Conclusion: The nephrotic syndrome should be recognized as a potential underlying cause of stroke in young patients and, therefore, it should be included in the differential diagnosis during the evaluation of patients with coagulopathies. Nephrotic syndrome screening may be done by conducting a simple urinalysis readily available in most healthcare facilities. This underlines the importance of considering renal pathology in the assessment of stroke etiologies, especially when coagulation abnormalities are present.