Cryptogenic stroke: cryptic definition?

Stroke welcomes Letters to the Editor and will publish them, if suitable, as space permits. They should not exceed 750 words (including references) and may be subject to editing or abridgment. Please submit letters in duplicate, typed double-spaced. Include a fax number for the corresponding author and a completed copyright transfer agreement form (available online at To the Editor: We have read with great interest the article entitled " May-Turner Syndrome in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale " which appeared in Stroke. 1 The article is innovative, being the first large-scale analysis of the association between May-Turner Syndrome, cryptogenic stroke, and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Nonetheless, it arises some uncertainties concerning the definition of " cryptogenic stroke ". In the present study, cryptogenic stroke was defined as " a sudden focal neurological event in the absence of an identifiable cause such as uncontrolled hypertension, intracranial hemorrhage , ipsilateral carotid lesion, atrial fibrillation, intracardiac throm-bus, degenerative neurological disorder or neoplasm. " 1 In literature, the term cryptogenic stroke usually refers to strokes with no clearly definable cause even after extensive workup. 2 Approximately 30% to 40% of ischemic strokes are cryptogenic. 3 This means that in a large part of our patients we are unable to identify stroke etiology because: (1) the cause is reversible, and the workout is not performed at the appropriate time; (2) the causes of stroke are not fully investigated; and (3) some causes of stroke remain unknown. 3 In the TOAST classification , the stroke is of undetermined etiology when the presence of multiple, concomitant risk factors force the physician to be unable to determine a final diagnosis. 4 Paradoxical embolism via PFO has been documented as a stroke mechanism. Nevertheless, data are still conflicting, and PFO remains associated with cryptogenic stroke. In the present study all patients had undergone PFO closure, but a comprehensive workout was also performed to rule out other causes of stroke. Interestingly, they found a statistically significant higher incidence of thrombophilia screen abnormalities in the May-Turner Syndrome group. Some of these factors are known to be independent risk factors for arterial stroke (ie, 1 patient had antiphospholipid syndrome). Others are independent risk factors for venous thrombosis, but also a probable cofactor for arterial stroke (2 patients had Factor V Leiden mutation, 2 patients had prothrombin gene mutation, 4 patients had anticardiolipin anti-body titer). 5 We believe that these …