Clinical significance of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: A retrospective case-control study

Headache Attributed to Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS)

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a condition with variable outcomes presenting a new onset thunderclap headache accompanied by focal neurological symptoms or seizures. It can be idiopathic or arise secondarily to a variety of trigger factors. The condition is increasingly recognized in clinical practice, but many facets remain poorly understood. This article aims to clarify the headache characteristics in RCVS, the temporal association of angiographic findings, the potential association of the condition with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the clinical presentation of RCVS in children and is based on a systematic PRISMA search for published analytical or large descriptive observational studies. Data from 60 studies that fulfilled specific criteria were reviewed. Most people with RCVS exhibit a typical thunderclap, explosive, or pulsatile/throbbing headache, or a similar acute and severe headache that takes longer than 1 min to peak. Atypical presentations or absence of headaches are also reported and may be an underrecognized phenotype. In many cases, headaches may persist after resolution of RCVS. Focal deficits or seizures are attributed to associated complications including transient ischemic attacks, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, ischemic stroke, cerebral edema, and intracranial hemorrhage. The peak of vasoconstriction occurs usually within two weeks after clinical onset, possibly following a pattern of centripetal propagation, and tends to resolve completely within 3 months, well after symptoms have subsided. There are a few reports of RCVS occurring in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection, but potential underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and etiological associations have not been confirmed. RCVS occurs in children most often in the context of an underlying disease. Overall, the available data in the literature are scattered, and large-scale prospective studies and international collaborations are needed to further characterize the clinical presentation of RCVS.

Complications of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in relation to age

INTRODUCTION

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) has a heterogenous clinical and radiological presentation. We investigated whether RCVS complications vary according to age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a pooled French cohort of 345 patients with RCVS, we assessed (1) rates of clinical and radiological complications, and (2) the functional outcome at 3 months according to age as a continuous variable, and in young patients aged ≤ 49 years versus those aged ≥ 50 years. The Commission Nationale Informatique et Liberté and the local ethics committee approved this study (registration number: 202100733).

RESULTS

The risk for any focal deficit and for any brain lesion were independently associated with increasing age (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8; p = 0.014, and OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1; p < 0.001, respectively). Subtypes of brain lesions independently associated with increasing age were subarachnoid haemorrhage (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3; p < 0.001) and intracerebral haemorrhage (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.2; p = 0.023). Frequency of cervical artery dissections peaked at age 30-39, and young age was independently associated with cervical artery dissections (OR 13.6, 95% CI 2.4-76.6; p = 0.003). Age had no impact on the functional outcome, with a modified Rankin scale score of 0-1 in > 96% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Age seems to influence rates and types of complications of RCVS, with young age being associated with cervical artery dissections, and increasing age with haemorrhagic complications. If confirmed in larger prospective studies, recognition of age-specific patterns might help to guide clinical management and to identify complications in cases of RCVS and vice versa.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome with Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Thalassemic Child—An Extremely Rare Complication

A 6-year-old known thalassemic boy presented with a posttransfusional thunderclap headache. A computed tomography scan showed left occipital lobar bleed and magnetic resonance angiography showed diffuse cerebral vasoconstriction, which resolved after 3 months, suggesting reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. He was treated with oral nimodipine for 3 months and had an excellent recovery without sequelae. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the index case is the first reported case of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in a thalassemic child.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Patients with a History of Migraine: A Retrospective Case-control Study

Objective We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstrictor syndrome who had a history of migraine before the onset and considered the relationship between these two pathologies. Methods We investigated 98 patients who underwent magnetic resonance angiography within 14 days of the onset of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome at our hospital. Of these, 11 cases involved recurrences, so data from 87 patients were analyzed. Materials All consecutive patients diagnosed with reversible cerebral vasoconstrictor syndrome at our institution between October 2010 and July 2021. Results Fifty of the 87 patients (57%) had a history of migraine. A multivariate analysis revealed that the following clinical factors were significantly more frequent in patients with a history of migraine than in those without such a history: female sex; emotional situations as a trigger of the onset; presence of deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity, absence of vasoconstriction in the M1 portion of the middle cerebral artery, and absence of other cerebral lesions on initial magnetic resonance imaging; absence of vasoconstriction of the basilar artery on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging; and progression of deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity in the chronic stage. Conclusion Reversible cerebral vasoconstrictor syndrome patients with a history of migraine showed clinical features of migraine, including one aspect of cerebral small-vessel disease due to endothelial dysfunction, as a common causative condition.

Pathophysiology of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a complex neurovascular disorder being recognized during the past two decades. It is characterized by multiple abrupt severe headaches and widespread cerebral vasoconstrictions, with potential complications such as ischemic stroke, convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The clinical features, imaging findings, and dynamic disease course have been delineated. However, the pathophysiology of RCVS remains elusive. Recent studies have had substantial progress in elucidating its pathogenesis. It is now believed that dysfunction of cerebral vascular tone and impairment of blood–brain barrier may play key roles in the pathophysiology of RCVS, which explains some of the clinical and radiological manifestations of RCVS. Some other potentially important elements include genetic predisposition, sympathetic overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, although the detailed molecular mechanisms are yet to be identified. In this review, we will summarize what have been revealed in the literature and elaborate how these factors could contribute to the pathophysiology of RCVS.

Hyperintense posterior cerebral artery sign in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Background:

This study investigated hyperintense vessel signs (HVS) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging in the P1–2 portions of posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) as a “hyperintense PCA sign” and HVS of cortical arteries. We retrospectively examined whether these signs would be useful in diagnosing reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) in the acute phase.

Methods:

Eighty patients with RCVS who underwent initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 7 days of onset were included in this study. HVS and related clinical factors were examined.

Results:

On initial MRI of RCVS patients, hyperintense PCA sign and HVS of cortical arteries were seen in 21 cases (26%) and 38 cases (48%), respectively. In patients showing hyperintense PCA sign, vasoconstriction of the A2–3 portion was a significant clinical factor. Conversely, vasoconstriction of the M1 and P1 portions and the presence of white matter hyperintensity on initial and chronic-stage MRI were significantly associated with the presence of HVS in cortical arteries.

Conclusion:

Because rich collateral flow exists around PCAs, the frequency of hyperintense PCA sign is not high. However, hyperintense PCA sign findings in patients with suspected RCVS offer credible evidence of extreme flow decreases due to vasoconstriction in peripheral PCAs and other arteries associated with the collateral circulation of PCAs. Conversely, HVS in cortical arteries tend to reflect slow antegrade circulation due to vasoconstriction of peripheral vessel and major trunks. Both signs appear useful for auxiliary diagnosis of acute-phase RCVS.

Outcomes Among Patients With Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Nationwide United States Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a well-established cause of stroke, but its demographics and outcomes have not been well delineated.

METHODS

Analysis of the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2016-2017) to characterize the frequency of hospitalizations for RCVS, demographic features, inpatient mortality, and discharge outcomes.

RESULTS

During the 2-year study period, 2020 patients with RCVS were admitted to Nationwide Inpatient Sample hospitals, representing 0.02 cases per 100 000 national hospitalizations. The mean age at admission was 47.6 years, with 85% under 65 years of age, and 75.5% women. Concomitant neurological diagnoses during hospitalization included ischemic stroke (17.1%), intracerebral hemorrhage (11.0%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (32.7%), seizure disorders (6.7%), and reversible brain edema (13.6%). Overall, 70% of patients were discharged home, 29.7% discharged to a rehabilitation facility or nursing home and 0.3% died before discharge. Patient features independently associated with the poor outcome of discharge to another facility or death were advanced age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.04]), being a woman (OR, 2.45 [1.82-3.34]), intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 2.91 [1.96-4.31]), ischemic stroke (OR, 5.72 [4.32-7.58]), seizure disorders (OR, 2.61 [1.70-4.00]), reversible brain edema (OR, 6.26 [4.41-8.89]), atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.97 [1.83-4.81]), and chronic kidney disease (OR, 3.43 [2.19-5.36]).

CONCLUSIONS

Projected to the entire US population, >1000 patients with RCVS are hospitalized each year, with the majority being middle-aged women, and about 300 required at least some rehabilitation or nursing home care after discharge. RCVS-related inpatient mortality is rare.

Type of headache at onset and risk for complications in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

BACKGROUND

In a recent Italian study, 30% of patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) presented without thunderclap headache (TCH), and tended to present more severe forms of RCVS than patients with TCH. We aimed to analyze the risk for complications of RCVS in patients with and without TCH at onset.

METHODS

In a pooled cohort of 345 French patients with RCVS, we compared patients with and without TCH at onset regarding rates of neurological complications, and the functional outcome at 3 months.

RESULTS

As compared to the 281 patients with TCH at onset, the 64 patients without TCH had a higher risk for any neurological complication (61% vs. 24%, OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.8-8.7, p < 0.001). The association was strongest for cervical artery dissections (28% vs. 5%, OR 8.1, 95% CI 3.7-17.6, p < 0.001), followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (17% vs. 3%, OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.7-18.4, p < 0.001), seizures (9% vs. 2.5%, OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.3-12.5, p = 0.019), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (41% vs. 16%, OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.9-6.3, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the risk for any neurological complication remained significantly elevated in the absence of TCH (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.8, p < 0.001). The functional outcome was equal in both groups, with a modified Rankin scale score of 0-1 in ≥90% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Absence of TCH at onset might predict a higher risk of complications in RCVS. Our results warrant further multicentric studies to prove this finding.

Diagnosis and classification of headache associated with sexual activity using a composite algorithm: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

To differentiate primary headache associated with sexual activity from other devastating secondary causes.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort, we recruited consecutive patients with at least 2 attacks of headache associated with sexual activity from the headache clinics or emergency department of a national medical center from 2005 to 2020. Detailed interview, neurological examination, and serial thorough neuroimaging including brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography scans were performed on registration and during follow-ups. Patients were categorized into four groups, i.e. primary headache associated with sexual activity, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, probable reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and other secondary headache associated with sexual activity through a composite clinic-radiological diagnostic algorithm. We compared the clinical profiles among these groups, including sex, age of onset, duration, quality, and clinical course ("chronic" indicates disease course ≥ 1 year). In addition, we also calculated the score of the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome₂, a scale developed to differentiate reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome from other intracranial vascular disorders.

RESULTS

Overall, 245 patients with headache associated with sexual activity were enrolled. Our clinic-radiologic composite algorithm diagnosed and classified all patients into four groups, including 38 (15.5%) with primary headache associated with sexual activity, 174 (71.0%) with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, 26 (10.6%) with probable reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and 7 (2.9%) with other secondary causes (aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 4), right internal carotid artery dissection (n = 1), Moyamoya disease (n = 1), and meningioma with hemorrhage (n = 1)). These four groups shared similar clinical profiles, except 26% of the patients with primary headache associated with sexual activity had a 3 times greater chance of running a chronic course (≥ 1 year) than patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Of note, the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome₂ score could not differentiate reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome from other groups.

CONCLUSION

Our composite clinic-radiological diagnostic algorithm successfully classified repeated headaches associated with sexual activity, which were predominantly secondary and related to vascular disorders, and predicted the prognosis. Primary headache associated with sexual activity and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome presented with repeated attacks of headache associated with sexual activity may be of the same disease spectrum.

Quantitative arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging analysis of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: A case series

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to quantify chronological cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes using arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS).

BACKGROUND

Quantitative ASL analyses in RCVS have not been well described in the literature.

METHODS

Quantification of ASL using an automated region-of-interest placement software and a 5-point visual scale of vasoconstriction severity was performed in five RCVS patients. The association between CBF changes and RCVS-related complications was evaluated.

RESULTS

Quantitative ASL revealed variable patterns of decreasing CBF in the first week, followed by subsequent increases. Notably, arterial vasoconstriction paradoxically progressed despite an increase in CBF from the first to the second week; this increase was relatively higher in patients with both cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative ASL revealed that CBF initially decreased and subsequently increased, especially in the second week. These changes may serve as surrogate imaging markers for RCVS-related complications, and could further contribute to understanding the pathology of RCVS.

Angiographic Characteristics of Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Phases of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the evolution of imaging patterns over time in patients with neurological complications caused by reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

METHODS

A total of 24 consecutive patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome presenting between 2009 and 2016 were included, whose disease course was complicated by intracranial hemorrhage and/or ischemic events. In total 55 angiographic studies were carried out. The nature of the intracranial complication and location of vasoconstriction on the angiograms in relation to the time interval since symptom-onset were assessed.

RESULTS

Complications included subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 19, 79%), intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 7, 29%), ischemic stroke (n = 6, 25%), and transient ischemic attack (n = 4, 17%). Hemorrhagic complications mainly occurred within 7 days after symptom onset (18/19 patients, 95%), whereas ischemic events only occurred after the first week (10/10 patients, 100%, p < 0.00001). Distal vasospasm was predominantly observed within 7 days (26/28 angiograms, 93%) and proximal vasospasm ≥7 days (23/27 angiograms, 85%, p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

In reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome causing neurological complications, an early hemorrhagic phase with distal vasospasm and a delayed ischemic phase with proximal vasospasm can be discriminated.