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Suzuki T, Akamatsu Y, Oshida S, Sato S. A Case of Rheumatoid Meningitis Diagnosed with FLAIR Images and Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Levels. NMC Case Rep J 2024; 11:119-123. [PMID: 38756142 PMCID: PMC11098618 DOI: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2023-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid meningitis (RM) is a rare but serious extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the absence of specific biomarkers, imaging findings, or guidelines for its detection, the diagnosis of RM is difficult. This report describes a patient of RM diagnosed with an open biopsy and discusses the utility of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and contrast-enhanced (CE) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images for screening and monitoring RM. A 65-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of headaches. Imaging studies showed asymmetric meningeal and leptomeningeal involvement seen on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An open biopsy of the meninges and leptomeninges depicted palisaded and necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, which suggests rheumatoid nodules. Treatment with prednisolone and tocilizumab led to symptom improvement and reduced lesion intensity on follow-up MRI. Throughout the treatment, the ACPA index in her serum and CSF, and the findings of CE-FLAIR images, rather than the CE T1WI, reflected disease activity. For 6 months, the patient has been stable without symptom recurrence. The ACPA index and the CE-FLAIR images were useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of RM. To validate these findings, further studies are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Suzuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Prefectural Ofunato Hospital, Ofunato, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yosuke Akamatsu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba, Iwate, Japan
| | - Sotaro Oshida
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Prefectural Ofunato Hospital, Ofunato, Iwate, Japan
| | - Shinpei Sato
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Prefectural Ofunato Hospital, Ofunato, Iwate, Japan
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Aktan Suzgun M, Erener N, Cavus GH, Ozdede A, Guner S, Ugurlu S, Comunoglu N, Kizilkilic O, Saip S. A review of rheumatoid meningitis with case studies. Mod Rheumatol Case Rep 2023; 7:340-346. [PMID: 36718604 DOI: 10.1093/mrcr/rxad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease involving synovial joints, and it is known that extra-articular manifestations that may affect the central and peripheral nervous systems may develop during its course. Rheumatoid meningitis is very rare among all neurological involvements. In this study, cases diagnosed as rheumatoid meningitis with clinical, imaging, laboratory, and histopathological features are presented, and the aim of the study is to present current approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid meningitis in the light of case studies and current literature. The data of the patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of rheumatoid meningitis in neurology clinic between 2017 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Three cases diagnosed with rheumatoid meningitis are presented in detail. In the first case, the diagnosis was reached by clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings as well as treatment response, while the diagnosis was made by histopathological verification in the second case. The third case shows that spontaneous remission can be observed in the course of rheumatoid meningitis. Rheumatoid meningitis, which is one of the rarest involvements in the course of RA, may present with headaches, focal neurological deficits, seizures, and altered consciousness. A meningeal biopsy is recommended when the differential diagnosis cannot be ruled out with imaging and laboratory findings. In the differential diagnosis Mucobacterium tuberculosis, syphilis, neuro-sarcoidosis, immunoglobulin G4-related disease, lymphoproliferative diseases, and systemic metastasis should be kept in mind. Aggressive RA management is recommended for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Aktan Suzgun
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nursena Erener
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gokce Hande Cavus
- Department of Pathology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Ozdede
- Department of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sabriye Guner
- Department of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serdal Ugurlu
- Department of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nil Comunoglu
- Department of Pathology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Osman Kizilkilic
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sabahattin Saip
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Dasovic B, Ewa Borys, Schneck MJ. Granulomatous Diseases of the Central Nervous System. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2022; 22:33-45. [PMID: 35138588 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-022-01173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss the pathophysiology, key clinical features, necessary diagnostic evaluation, and current treatment regimens for granulomatous diseases of the central nervous system. RECENT FINDINGS The diagnosis and management of granulomatous disease of the central nervous system has been revolutionized by advances in diagnostic imaging. Nevertheless, tissue and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling remains necessary to establish the diagnosis in most cases. Establishing a specific diagnosis is critical because treatment selection needs to focus on the granulomatous process centering on either antibiotic or immunosuppressive agents. Particular for non-infectious granulomatous disease more aggressive immunotherapies may help in clinical outcome. There are multiple non-infectious and infectious etiologies for granulomatous disease of the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations result from local structural invasion of granulomas or granulomatous inflammation of the blood vessels and meninges. Rapid diagnosis and specific treatment is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braden Dasovic
- Department of Neurology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 South First Avenue Maguire Building Suite 2700, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Ewa Borys
- Department of Pathology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 South First Avenue Maguire Building Suite 2700, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Michael J Schneck
- Department of Neurology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 South First Avenue Maguire Building Suite 2700, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
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Endothelial Dysfunction and Extra-Articular Neurological Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010081. [PMID: 33435178 PMCID: PMC7827097 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the global population, with a female–male ratio of 3:1. RA preferably affects the joints, with consequent joint swelling and deformities followed by ankylosis. However, evidence has accumulated showing that patients suffering from RA can also develop extra-articular manifestations, including cardiovascular disease states, neuropathies, and multiorgan dysfunction. In particular, peripheral nerve disorders showed a consistent impact in the course of the disease (prevalence about 20%) mostly associated to vasculitis of the nerve vessels leading to vascular ischemia, axonal degeneration, and neuronal demyelination. The pathophysiological basis of this RA-associated microvascular disease, which leads to impairment of assonal functionality, is still to be better clarified. However, endothelial dysfunction and alterations of the so-called brain-nerve barrier (BNB) seem to play a fundamental role. This review aims to assess the potential mechanisms underlying the impairment of endothelial cell functionality in the development of RA and to identify the role of dysfunctional endothelium as a causative mechanism of extra-articular manifestation of RA. On the other hand, the potential impact of lifestyle and nutritional interventions targeting the maintenance of endothelial cell integrity in patients with RA will be discussed as a potential option when approaching therapeutic solutions in the course of the disease.
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