Cerebral vasculitis

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Cerebral vasculitis
Synonyms Central nervous system vasculitis, CNS vasculitis
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Headache, confusion, seizures, stroke, focal neurological deficits
Complications Stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, cognitive impairment
Onset Variable
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Autoimmune disease, infection, drug-induced
Risks Autoimmune disorders, infections, drug use
Diagnosis MRI, cerebral angiography, lumbar puncture, biopsy
Differential diagnosis Multiple sclerosis, migraine, infectious meningitis, primary angiitis of the central nervous system
Prevention N/A
Treatment Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, plasmapheresis
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable, depends on cause and treatment
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Inflammation of blood vessels in the brain


Cerebral vasculitis
Cerebral vasculitis.jpg
Synonyms Central nervous system vasculitis, Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS)
Pronounce
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Headache, Seizures, Cognitive dysfunction, Stroke-like symptoms, Neurological deficit
Complications Stroke, Intracerebral hemorrhage, Cognitive decline, Seizure disorder, Disability
Onset Typically adult, but can occur at any age
Duration Chronic or relapsing-remitting
Types Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS), Secondary cerebral vasculitis
Causes Autoimmune disorders, Infections (e.g. HIV, hepatitis), Medications, Systemic vasculitis
Risks Systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Behçet's disease, Polyarteritis nodosa
Diagnosis MRI, Cerebral angiography, Brain biopsy
Differential diagnosis Multiple sclerosis, Ischemic stroke, CNS lymphoma, Neurosarcoidosis
Prevention Managing autoimmune disease, treating infections early
Treatment Immunosuppressive therapy, Corticosteroids, Cyclophosphamide
Medication Prednisone, Azathioprine, Methotrexate, Mycophenolate mofetil
Prognosis Variable; better with early treatment, poorer with delayed diagnosis
Frequency Rare; <3 cases per million annually
Deaths Mortality varies; ~10–30% without treatment


Cerebral vasculitis is a rare condition characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain. This inflammation can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms due to the disruption of normal blood flow and potential damage to brain tissue.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Cerebral vasculitis involves the inflammation of the blood vessels within the central nervous system. This inflammation can cause the vessel walls to thicken, leading to a reduction in the diameter of the vessels and potentially resulting in ischemia or hemorrhage. The exact mechanism of inflammation can vary depending on the underlying cause, which may include autoimmune processes, infections, or other systemic diseases.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Cerebral vasculitis can be primary or secondary.

Primary Cerebral Vasculitis[edit | edit source]

Primary cerebral vasculitis, also known as primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS), is a rare form of vasculitis that affects only the brain and spinal cord. The cause of PACNS is not well understood, but it is thought to involve an autoimmune response.

Secondary Cerebral Vasculitis[edit | edit source]

Secondary cerebral vasculitis occurs as a result of another condition. Possible causes include:

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of cerebral vasculitis can vary widely depending on the areas of the brain affected. Common symptoms include:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosing cerebral vasculitis can be challenging due to its rarity and the nonspecific nature of its symptoms. A combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and sometimes a biopsy of brain tissue is used to confirm the diagnosis.

Imaging[edit | edit source]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography are commonly used to visualize the blood vessels and detect any abnormalities suggestive of vasculitis.

Biopsy[edit | edit source]

In some cases, a brain biopsy may be necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis. This involves taking a small sample of brain tissue to be examined under a microscope for signs of inflammation.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

The treatment of cerebral vasculitis typically involves the use of immunosuppressive drugs to reduce inflammation. Commonly used medications include:

The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for cerebral vasculitis varies depending on the cause and the promptness of treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing permanent neurological damage.

Related pages[edit | edit source]

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