An unusual cause of stroke: internal carotid artery occlusion as a complication of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation. Thromboembolic events are the most feared complication of OHSS. Most of the thrombotic events (75%) are of the venous origin. Stroke represents a rare but life-threatening complication of severe OHSS. A 29-year old woman was admitted to our emergency room, with left sided weakness, difficulty in breathing and nausea. The patient was given the diagnosis of OHSS and right middle cerebral artery infarction. Here we emphasise that the development of ovulation induction is a newly recognised cause of cerebral stroke in an otherwise healthy woman. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2012;19:408-410)