Cerebral vasculitis--recognition, diagnosis and management

N J Scolding, D R Jayne, J P Zajicek, P A Meyer, E P Wraight, C M Lockwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cerebral vasculitis is a serious but uncommon condition which presents considerable difficulties in recognition, diagnosis and treatment. We studied eight consecutive patients in whom this diagnosis was made. Despite the great diversity of symptoms and signs, we noted three clinical patterns: (i) acute or sub-acute encephalopathy, (ii) a picture with some similarities to multiple sclerosis ('MS-plus'), and (iii) features of a rapidly progressive space-occupying lesion. The identification of these patterns may help recognition of cerebral vasculitis. The diagnostic value of four investigative procedures not previously studied in cerebral vasculitis was assessed: ophthalmological examination using low-dose fluorescein angiography with slit-lamp video microscopy of the anterior segment (abnormal in 4/5 patients); spinal fluid oligoclonal band analysis (abnormal in 3/6 patients); anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody assay (abnormal in 3/8 patients); and indium-labelled white-cell cerebral imaging (positive in only one patient). Treatment was with steroid alone (n = 2) or steroid with cyclophosphamide (n = 6). Seven patients responded clinically.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-73
Number of pages13
JournalQJM: An International Journal of Medicine
Volume90
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1997

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Brain Diseases
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Leukocytes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Steroids
  • Technetium
  • Vasculitis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cerebral vasculitis--recognition, diagnosis and management'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this