Nota Clínica

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system: an infrequent form of presentation

M.J. Jordão, F. Almeida, J. Moreira da Costa, J. Rocha [REV NEUROL 2007;44:209-211] PMID: 17311210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.4404.2004426

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Volumen 44 | Number 04 | Nº of views of the article 11.751 | Nº of PDF downloads 642 | Article publication date 16/02/2007

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare disease. Clinical signs and symptoms include headache and cognitive disorders associated to multifocal neurological deficits. A definitive diagnosis can only be achieved by means of a cerebromeningeal biopsy.

CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 15-year-old male who first reported lower back pain and progressive paresis of the right lower limb, later followed by laterocollis on the right side. Magnetic resonance (MR) scanning of the brain and spinal cord revealed a pseudotumoral lesion in the right cerebellum and two lesions in the spinal cord. Dexamethasone was administered and surgical resection of the cerebellar lesion was performed. Following surgery, the patient received corticoid treatment with progressive withdrawal. Full clinical recovery of the patient was achieved. A year later, the same patient was admitted to hospital again because of headaches and diplopia. A new MR brain scan showed a right frontotemporal lesion. Dexamethasone was administered and the patient recovered. Thirteen months later, he reported dysarthria and right-side hemiparesis. An MR brain scan revealed the presence of a number of bilateral lesions in the white matter. Results of a lumbar puncture showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and raised protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The laminae from the cerebromeningeal biopsy were reviewed and the results confirmed the hypothetical diagnosis of angiitis of the CNS. Treatment was established with intravenous cyclophosphamide in association with oral prednisone.

CONCLUSIONS Primary angiitis of the CNS is an infrequent disease and its pathogenesis remains unknown. The definitive diagnosis of these patients is histological. It courses spontaneously and generally has a fatal outcome. Treatment, which consists in an association of cyclophosphamide and prednisone, must be started as early as possible. KeywordsAngiitis Central nervous system Cerebromeningeal biopsy

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Nota Clínica

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system: an infrequent form of presentation

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