Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Angiitis

Primary central nervous system vasculitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A series of 7 patients

INTRODUCTION

Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare disease affecting medium- and small-calibre blood vessels of the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse clinical findings and diagnostic aspects, with special attention to histopathological findings, as well as the treatments used and treatment response in patients diagnosed with PCNSV at our hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with a diagnosis of PCNSV at discharge from our centre and meeting the 1988 Calabrese criteria. To this end, we analysed the hospital discharge records of Hospital General Universitario de Castellón between January 2000 and May 2020.

RESULTS

We analysed a series of 7 patients who were admitted with transient focal alterations and other less specific symptoms such as headache or dizziness; diagnosis was based on histological findings in 5 cases and on suggestive arteriographic findings in the remaining 2. Neuroimaging results were pathological in all cases, and CSF analysis detected alterations in 3 of the 5 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. All patients received initial treatment with megadoses of corticosteroids followed by immunosuppressive treatment. Progression was unfavourable in 6 cases, with fatal outcomes in 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the diagnostic challenge of PCNSV, it is essential to attempt to reach a definitive diagnosis using such tools as histopathology and/or arteriography studies, in order to promptly establish appropriate treatment and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition.

Novel method using DW-MRI and ADC images to guide stereotactic biopsy for the diagnosis small primary angiitis of the central nervous system: a case report

Objective

To determine the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) imaging to guide stereotactic biopsy for the diagnosis of intracranial angiitis.

Case presentation

In a 28-year-old woman who had experienced inactive headache and right limbs numbness for 4 days, preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) scanning, enhanced scanning, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and ADC image scanning were performed. Stereotactic biopsy was performed in one target where the area of edema detected with MR FLAIR, and two targets where the area shown as a high-value and a lower value area in the DWI/ADC image. Pathological examinations together with computed tomographic and enhanced MRI scans were conducted after surgery. A preoperative enhanced MRI scan showed a uniform low-intensity lesion in the patient’s left centrum semiovale, with a volume of 3.1 cm³. The DWI and ADC images showed uneven high-intensity signals and different ADC values in the lesion area, respectively. During surgery, tissues around the lesion and the lesion center were sampled at the three selected targets. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was primary angiitis of the central nervous system, and the patient was given anti-inflammatory medication and hormone therapy. The 3-year follow-up confirmed that the patient had recovered well, with a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of five.

Conclusion

DW-MRI and ADC images can be reliably used to determine the location of small intracranial lesions, and guide stereotactic biopsy to facilitate the diagnosis of primary vasculitis of the central nervous system.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Small Vessel Childhood Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System (sv-cPACNS): An International Survey

Childhood primary angiitis of the Central Nervous System (cPACNS) is a rare autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It can result in significant neuronal damage, neurodevelopmental delay and potentially death. Childhood PACNS is divided into subcategories: angiography-positive p-cPACNS that affects medium and large vessels, and angiography-negative small vessel sv-cPACNS. Due to its rarity, variable clinical representation, and the lack of a diagnostic criteria and therapeutic plans, diagnosis and treatment of cPACNS is challenging and approaches vary. This survey collected information on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to sv-PACNS. It was shared with international clinician networks, including the German Society for Paediatric Rheumatology, the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society, the "Network Paediatric Stroke," and members of the American College of Rheumatology/CARRA Paediatric Rheumatology list server. This project has shown consensus in numerous diagnostic and therapeutic treatment approaches, highlighting key areas which will be utilised to develop statements in the use of expert consensus meetings to standardise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in this rare inflammatory disease.

CNS vasculopathies: Challenging mimickers of primary angiitis of the central nervous system

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS) is an inflammatory vasculopathy affecting the brain and spinal cord. It is a difficult diagnosis to make because of its insidious nonspecific course and its multiple mimics. This review identifies and discusses some noninfectious mimickers of primary CNS angiitis, including: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, Sneddon's Syndrome, amyloid-beta-related angiopathy, Susac Syndrome, and neurosarcoidosis. Each condition will be reviewed in terms of epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment. Distinguishing these mimics from the primary angiitis of the CNS is important for proper treatment and prognosis.