Cerebral vasculitis
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 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
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:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Infections such as HIV or hepatitis
- Certain medications and drugs
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of cerebral vasculitis can vary widely depending on the areas of the brain affected. Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Seizures
- Stroke-like symptoms
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Focal neurological deficits
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]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD