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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
Published on: June 18, 2021
Primary central nervous system vasculitis presenting with intracranial hemorrhage
Carlo Salvarani1, Robert D Brown, Kenneth T Calamia
1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. salvarani.carlo@asmn.re.it
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|November 1, 2011
Summary
Intracranial hemorrhage occurs in over 12% of primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) cases, often presenting without typical stroke symptoms. Necrotizing vasculitis is a common finding in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare condition affecting blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord.
- Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an uncommon but serious presentation of PCNSV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of PCNSV patients presenting with ICH.
- To compare outcomes and treatment needs between PCNSV patients with and without ICH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 131 PCNSV patients diagnosed between 1983 and 2007.
- ICH defined as intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage on imaging within 3 months of diagnosis.
- Comparison of clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic findings between patients with and without ICH.
Main Results:
- 16 patients (12.2%) presented with ICH (12 intracerebral, 4 subarachnoid).
- ICH patients were more often women and less likely to have altered cognition, neurologic deficits, or stroke at presentation.
- Cerebral infarctions on MRI and need for therapy at follow-up were less frequent in ICH patients.
- Necrotizing vasculitis was observed in 75% of biopsied ICH cases.
Conclusions:
- ICH is a notable presentation of PCNSV, occurring in over 12% of cases.
- PCNSV with ICH may present atypically, without common stroke indicators.
- Necrotizing vasculitis is a frequent histopathologic finding in PCNSV with ICH.
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