[Cerebral vasculitis and Basedow-Graves disease: report of two cases]

To report two cases of patients with cerebral vasculitis and Basedow-Graves disease.

Two young female patients presented at emergency with acute neurological picture of hemiparesis and speech distress. The first patient, 22 year-old, has been on clinical treatment for hyperthyroidism for one month. On clinical examination she had an elevated cardiac rate, bilateral exophthalmia and a diffuse goiter. On neurological examination we could observe a mild dysarthria and left hemiparesis. The second patient was a 15 year-old girl, who presented sudden conscious loss, aphasia and right hemiparesis.

CT scan and MRI showed areas of cerebral infarcts. Angiographic study showed multiple vascular stenosis similar to an arteritic angiographic pattern. Extensive medical and laboratorial workout disclosed no other risk factor for stroke or for nervous system vasculitis. The antimicrosomal and antithyreoglobulin antibodies were positive and thyroidian hormones confirmed hyperthyroidism.

The concurrence of cerebral arteritis and Basedow-Graves' disease suggest a possible pathogenic link between Graves' disease and specific cerebral vascular disorders, possibly through a common autoimmune mechanism.