Cerebral Vasculitis

VasculitisVasculitis is a heterogeneous group of disorders linked by the primary finding of inflammation within blood vessel walls.

At least 20 forms of systemic vasculitis are recognized currently.

Vasculitis is classified first by the size of blood vessel involvedsmall (capillaries and postcapillary venules), medium (muscular arteries and arterioles), or large (the aorta and its major branches).

Signs & SymptomsNauseaVomittingPurpuraWeight lossLethargyAs the disease progresses, multifocal neurologic deficits appear in 80% of the patients.Common Types of VasculitisBehcets DiseaseBeurgers DiseaseCentral Nervous System VasculitisChurg-Strauss SyndromeCryoglobulinemiaGiant Cell ArteritisHenroch-Schoenlein PurpuraMicroscopic PolyangitisPolyarteritis NodosaPolymyalgia RheumaticaRheumatoid VasculitisSjgrens syndromeSystemic lupus erythematosusTakayasus ArteritisWegeners GranulomatosisCommon Causes of VasculitisSigns & SymptomsChurg-Strauss syndromeAsthma-like features followed by multiple-organ system involvement including GI, skin, kidneys, CNS, heartSystemic lupus erythematosusMalar rash, oral ulcers, photosensitivity, arthralgia, renal failure, anemia, ANA positiveRheumatoid arthritisArthritis involving hand joints, radiological evidence of joint erosion, rheumatoid factor positiveGiant cell arteritisPulseless disease, fever, weight loss, syncope, visual field defectsSjgrens syndromeDry mouth, dry eyes, involvement of lung, liver, pancreas, jointsLymphomaFever, weight loss, night sweats, lymph node enlargement, hepatosplenomegalyPolyarteritis nodosaFever, weight loss, arthralgia, renal failure, myocardial infarctionRisk FactorsInfectionsHerpes zosterHepatitis CMycoplasmaHIVConnective Tissue DisordersSubstance AbuseMen > WomenAges 30-40 most commonReferencesHajj AliRA,CalabreseLH:Central nervous system vasculitis.Curr Opin Rheumatol2009;21:10-18.

Jennette JC, Falk RJ, Andrassy K, et al. "Nomenclature of systemic vasculitides. Proposal of an international consensus conference". Arthritis Rheum. 1994; 37(2):18792

Ferri F. F. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2011.