7 Key Insights Into the Evaluation of Central Nervous System Vasculitis

In Sum

Although CNS vasculitis is a complex subject, the lecture by Dr. Hajj-Ali helped frame this topic in a broad and helpful manner. By heeding the words of advice presented in this talk, clinicians can feel more comfortable approaching the evaluation of CNS vasculitis, and helping colleagues and patients alike.

Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J.

References

Calabrese LH, Mallek JA. Primary angiitis of the central nervous system. Report of 8 new cases, review of the literature and proposal for diagnostic criteria. Medicine (Baltimore). 1988 Jan;67(1):20–39.
Salvarani C, Brown RD Jr, Calamia KT, et al.Primary central nervous system vasculitis: Analysis of 101 patients. Ann Neurol. 2007 Nov;62(5):442–451.
White ML, Hadley WL, Zhang Y, et al. Analysis of central nervous system vasculitis with diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping of the normal-appearing brain. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007 May;28(5):933–937.

Vasculitis is a group of chronic inflammatory diseases in which the blood vessel is the target of an immune reaction. They can be secondary to connective tissue disease, idiopathic or due to infection, neoplasm or drugs.1 Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare syndrome characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis…

Case report: A 60-year-old Hispanic male with poorly controlled hypertension was sent from the primary care clinic for evaluation of malignant hypertension with a systolic blood pressure above 200 mmHg. His symptoms at the time of presentation included episodic confusion, worsening vision and an unsteady gait. A head computed tomography (CT) scan showed a subacute…

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In Sum

References

Case Report: Lymphocytic Vasculitis of the Central Nervous System

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2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting: Diagnosing PACNS and Its Mimics

Meet the Challenge of Primary CNS Vasculitis

In Sum

References

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