RCVS: by clinicians for clinicians-a narrative review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may be underdiagnosed. It can be accompanied by various complications, mainly intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. The clinical presentation of this condition varies according to its localization. The aims of this review are to raise awareness of the disease, especially in the presence of corresponding risk factors; to connect its precipitating factors, pathophysiology, and complications; and to compare various differential diagnoses of vasoconstriction.

METHODS

A review of the literature in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was conducted from May 1997 until May 2022.

RESULTS

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, which is a clinical-radiological syndrome, is mainly characterized by the occurrence of thunderclap headache and widespread vasoconstriction. The most common precipitating factors are the use of vasoactive substances and postpartum status. The pathophysiology is currently assumed to include two mechanisms: sympathetic overactivity and endothelial dysfunction. From these mechanisms, it is possible to derive potential complications as well as the most important differential diagnoses: posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and primary angiitis of the central nervous system.

CONCLUSION

In general, the outcome of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is very good. Vasospasm as well as thunderclap headache attacks can be fully reversible, and > 90% of patients are functionally independent at discharge.

Stroke in Pregnancy: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Pregnancy confers a substantially increased risk of stroke, especially during the third trimester and until 6 weeks postpartum. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational hypercoagulability are important contributors to obstetric stroke. Preeclampsia and eclampsia confer risk for future cardiovascular disease. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most common type of obstetric stroke. Ischemic stroke can result from cardiomyopathy, paradoxical embolism, posterior reversible encephalopathy, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and dissections. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a frequent complication of pregnancy.

Stroke in Pregnancy: An Update

Pregnancy confers a substantially increased risk of stroke in women. The period of highest risk of stroke is the peripartum/postpartum phase, coinciding with the highest risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and peak gestational hypercoagulability. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most common type of obstetric stroke. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important contributors to obstetric stroke and predispose women to premature cardiovascular disease. The rate of stroke associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy has increased in the United States. Other conditions associated with obstetric stroke include posterior reversible encephalopathy, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome after bilateral carotid paraganglioma resection: A case report

Background

Paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumour arising anywhere along the paravertebral sympathetic and parasympathetic chains. In the neck, paraganglioma may affect the carotid body (carotid body tumour).

Case report

We describe a 43-year-old woman who presented with a reversible vasoconstriction syndrome associated with a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following a surgery for a left carotid paraganglioma (with a past medical history of surgery for a right carotid paraganglioma a few months before).

Conclusion

A consequence of a baroreflex modification is discussed in order to explain the rare occurrence of such symptoms.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome - A narrative revision of the literature

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) is a not very well known clinical-imaging entity; it is characterized by thunderclap headache, which mimics an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and a diffuse and segmental constriction of cerebral arteries, that resolves spontaneously within 3 months. The pathophysiology remains unknown. The female gender is the more affected and more than half of cases occur in the puerperium or after exposure to vasoactive substances. Typically, RCVS is self-limited and has a benign course, although it may have more serious complications with permanent neurologic sequelae and death. Treatment is predominantly supportive and directed to the symptoms.

Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: Review and analysis of the current data

Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (PPRCVS) is a rare but serious cause of headache that occurs in the early postpartum period. The rarity of this disorder has limited the current literature to single case reports and small, observational case series. The lack of familiarity with PPRCVS may contribute to mismanagement of these unique patients and lead to poor outcomes. To address current gaps in the understanding of PPRCVS, this review and data analysis characterizes the demographics, presentation, clinical course, management and prognosis of PPRCVS and provides a general review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis to assist clinicians who may care for patients with this rare disorder.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome, Part 1: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Course

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a clinical and radiologic syndrome that represents a common presentation of a diverse group of disorders. The syndrome is characterized by thunderclap headache and reversible vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries, which can either be spontaneous or related to an exogenous trigger. The pathophysiology of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is unknown, though alterations in cerebral vascular tone are thought to be a key underlying mechanism. The syndrome typically follows a benign course; however, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may result in permanent disability or death in a small minority of patients secondary to complications such as ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage.

A systematic review of causes of sudden and severe headache (Thunderclap Headache): should lists be evidence based?

Background

There are many potential causes of sudden and severe headache (thunderclap headache), the most important of which is aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Published academic reviews report a wide range of causes. We sought to create a definitive list of causes, other than aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, using a systematic review.

Methods

Systematic Review of EMBASE and MEDLINE databases using pre-defined search criteria up to September 2009. We extracted data from any original research paper or case report describing a case of someone presenting with a sudden and severe headache, and summarized the published causes.

Results

Our search identified over 21,000 titles, of which 1224 articles were scrutinized in full. 213 articles described 2345 people with sudden and severe headache, and we identified 6 English language academic review articles. A total of 119 causes were identified, of which 46 (38%) were not mentioned in published academic review articles. Using capture-recapture analysis, we estimate that our search was 98% complete. There is only one population-based estimate of the incidence of sudden and severe headache at 43 cases per 100,000. In cohort studies, the most common causes identified were primary headaches or headaches of uncertain cause. Vasoconstriction syndromes are commonly mentioned in case reports or case series. The most common cause not mentioned in academic reviews was pneumocephalus. 70 non-English language articles were identified but these did not contain additional causes.

Conclusions

There are over 100 different published causes of sudden and severe headache, other than aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. We have now made a definitive list of causes for future reference which we intend to maintain. There is a need for an up to date population based description of cause of sudden and severe headache as the modern epidemiology of thunderclap headache may require updating in the light of research on cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Recurrent thunderclap headaches, seizures, strokes, and non-aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage can all reveal reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. This increasingly recognised syndrome is characterised by severe headaches, with or without other symptoms, and segmental constriction of cerebral arteries that resolves within 3 months. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is supposedly due to a transient disturbance in the control of cerebrovascular tone. More than half the cases occur post partum or after exposure to adrenergic or serotonergic drugs. Manifestations have a uniphasic course, and vary from pure cephalalgic forms to rare catastrophic forms associated with several haemorrhagic and ischaemic strokes, brain oedema, and death. Diagnosis can be hampered by the dynamic nature of clinicoradiological features. Stroke can occur a few days after initial normal imaging, and cerebral vasoconstriction is at a maximum on angiograms 2-3 weeks after clinical onset. The calcium channel blocker nimodipine seems to reduce thunderclap headaches within 48 h of administration, but has no proven effect on haemorrhagic and ischaemic complications.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome induced by adrenaline

INTRODUCTION

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by acute severe thunderclap headaches and evidence of multifocal, segmental, reversible vasoconstrictions of the cerebral arteries. Several precipitating factors have been identified and reported, including the use of recreational substances or sympathomimetic drugs and the postpartum state.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here we present the case of a woman who developed RCVS after the administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) in the setting of an anaphylactic reaction during antibiotic allergy testing.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of RCVS following the administration of exogenous adrenaline. This case contributes to the understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms underlying reversible cerebral vasoconstriction.