Vasculitis, Central Nervous System
| Definition: |
Inflammation of blood vessels within the central nervous system. Etiologies include autoimmune disorders (see also LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, SYSTEMIC; POLYARTERITIS NODOSA; WEGENER'S GRANULOMATOSIS), infections, exposure to radiation or toxins, and other conditions. Autoimmune or idiopathic vasculitides limited to the central nervous system are referred to as primary CNS vasculitides. CNS vasculitides associated with a systemic process or known pathogens are referred to as secondary CNS vasculitides. Clinical manifestations are highly variable but include headaches; SEIZURES; behavioral alterations; INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGES; transient ischemic attacks (ISCHEMIC ATTACK, TRANSIENT); and BRAIN INFARCTION. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp856-61) |
| Notes: |
DF: note short X refs |
| Also Called: |
Cerebral Angiitis,Granulomatous Angiitis,Postzoster Arteritis,Primary CNS Vasculitis,Secondary CNS Vasculitis |
| Previously Indexed: |
Brain Diseases (1966-1999),Cerebral Arterial Diseases (1965-1999),Cerebrovascular Disorders (1966-1999) |
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System Categories.
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Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System - Disorders of the brain and spinal cord that are associated with LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, SYSTEMIC. Clinical manifestations may include neurobehavioral dysfunction; SEIZURES; cranial neuropathies (see CRANIAL NERVE DISEASES); hypothalamic dysfunction; focal motor deficits; MYELITIS, TRANSVERSE, and other disorders. Pathologic features include multiple microinfarctions involving the CEREBRAL CORTEX; DIENCEPHALON; and BRAIN STEM (see also BRAIN INFARCTION). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp858-9) |
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Temporal Arteritis - A systemic autoimmune vasculitis occurring primarily in people over the age of 50. Pathologic features include a necrotizing panarteritis including granulomas and giant cells. There is a predilection for involvement of central nervous system blood vessels and the most frequent neurologic complication is an OPTIC NEUROPATHY, ISCHEMIC. Large blood vessels may become involved, including the aorta. Clinical manifestations may include myalgias, weight loss, headache, visual loss, necrosis of the skin or tongue, and chest discomfort. Superficial scalp arteries may become tender and enlarged. A related condition, juvenile temporal arteritis, tends to occur in the first or second decade of life. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p856) |
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System Definitions and Terms
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