Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
06:44
Modeling Brain Metastases Through Intracranial Injection and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2020
7.2K
[Primary central nervous system vasculitis imitating a brain tumour--a case report]
Małgorzata Wiszniewska1, Tadeusz Szylberg, Marek Harat
1Oddział Neurologii, Szpital Specjalistyczny im. St. Staszica, ul. Rydygiera 1, 64-920 Piła. mpwisz@pi.onet.pl
Neurologia I Neurochirurgia Polska
|November 1, 2008
Summary
Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare condition causing neurological symptoms. Despite treatment, this case highlights the challenges in managing PCNSV, leading to a fatal outcome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare condition with an incidence of 2.4 per million person-years.
- PCNSV presents with diverse neurological symptoms, often mimicking brain tumors or stroke.
- Diagnosis is challenging, typically requiring brain biopsy to confirm vascular inflammation.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old male patient was diagnosed with PCNSV via brain biopsy.
- Initial treatment with high-dose corticosteroids for 18 months resulted in a 2.5-year remission.
- Disease recurrence occurred one year after discontinuing glucocorticoid therapy.
Findings:
- PCNSV diagnosis confirmed by pathological findings of transmural vascular inflammation.
- Corticosteroid therapy provided temporary symptom relief.
- Combined therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide was ultimately ineffective.
Implications:
- PCNSV poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Long-term management of PCNSV requires careful monitoring for relapse.
- This case underscores the potential for poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Viral Meningitis
191
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
191
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
11
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
11
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
20
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
20
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
16
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial...
16
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
19
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins...
19
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
14
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this...
14