Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2026

Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
[Cerebral vasculitis]
1Neurologische Klinik Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus Essen. peter.berlit@krupp-krankenhaus.de
Insights
This review covers central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, a condition often presenting with neurological symptoms. Diagnosis requires a biopsy, and treatment involves corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Context:
- Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis involves inflammation of blood vessels in the brain.
- Systemic vasculitides and collagen vascular diseases can affect the CNS.
Purpose:
- To review the diagnosis and treatment of isolated CNS-angiitis and cerebral involvement in systemic vasculitides.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and therapeutic strategies.
Summary:
- CNS vasculitis symptoms include headache, multifocal neurological deficits, and encephalopathy.
- Diagnosis relies on MRI, angiography, CSF, and serum analysis, but a biopsy is often essential for confirmation, except in Behçet's syndrome.
- The primary treatment involves a combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview for clinicians managing CNS vasculitis.
- Emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and appropriate immunosuppressive therapy.
- Contributes to understanding the management of rare but serious neurological conditions.
Abstract:
This review focuses on isolated CNS-angiitis and cerebral involvement in systemic vasculitides and collagen vascular diseases. CNS-vasculitis presents with headache, multifocal symptoms, and encephalopathy, respectively. Clinical diagnosis is based on MRI, angiography and both CSF and serum examinations. But neither laboratory nor neuroradiological findings are specific - in all vasculitides with the exception of the Behçet-syndrome a biopsy is necessary before immunosuppressive treatment is started. Therapy of choice is the combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Meningitis
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

