Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

A Volumetric Method for Quantification of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: July 28, 2018
[Cerebral vasculitides]
Hubert de Boysson1, Anthony Faivre, Christian Pagnoux
1CHU Côte-de-Nacre, université de Caen, pôle de médecine interne et d'immunologie clinique, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, 14033 Caen cedex 9, France.
Insights
Diagnosing cerebral vasculitis requires ruling out secondary causes through comprehensive clinical, biological, and radiological evaluation. Definitive diagnosis often necessitates a leptomeningeal biopsy when uncertainty persists.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral vasculitides encompass primary central nervous system vasculitis and secondary forms linked to systemic diseases, infections, malignancies, or toxic exposures.
- Suspected cerebral vasculitis mandates an exhaustive diagnostic workup to exclude diverse secondary etiologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic approach for cerebral vasculitis.
- To emphasize the importance of differentiating primary from secondary forms and the role of specific investigations.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis typically integrates clinical presentation, biological markers, and neuroimaging (MRI).
- Cerebrospinal fluid examination and MRI can help rule out the condition.
- Leptomeningeal biopsy is considered definitive, particularly in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or underlying systemic disease.
Main Results:
- A combination of clinical, biological, and radiological findings often suggests cerebral vasculitis.
- Normal MRI and cerebrospinal fluid findings may exclude the diagnosis.
- Leptomeningeal biopsy provides definitive diagnosis when suspicion remains high.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of cerebral vasculitis improve prognosis.
- Treatment for secondary vasculitis targets the underlying cause, often supplemented by corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
- Consensus on treatment for primary central nervous system vasculitis is lacking.
Abstract:
Cerebral vasculitides can be secondary to a broad variety of conditions such as systemic disease, infections, malignancies and toxic exposures, or can be isolated to the central nervous system. When cerebral vasculitis is suspected, the diagnostic work up must be exhaustive to rule out all these potential causes of secondary vasculitis. Most often, the diagnosis of cerebral vasculitis relies on the combination of clinical, biological and radiological findings. It is definite only when based on a positive leptomeningeal biopsy. This latter should be done when the diagnostic uncertainty remains high, especially in patients with underlying systemic disease and/or infrequent or rapidly-progressive symptoms. One can probably rule out the diagnostic of cerebral vasculitis in patients in whom both MRI and cerebrospinal fluid examination are normal. For secondary cerebral vasculitis, treatment depends on the identified underlying etiology. However, corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive drugs are usually used. Actually, there is no consensual treatment for primary angiitis of the central nervous system. The prognosis is better when diagnosis is made early and treatment started promptly.
More Related Videos
10:41Analysis of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with High Frequency Transcranial Duplex Ultrasound
Published on: June 3, 2021
10:04Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation
Published on: January 12, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology