Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
10:41
Analysis of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with High Frequency Transcranial Duplex Ultrasound
Published on: June 3, 2021
4.3K
A Case of Cerebral Vasculitis Associated with Ulcerative Colitis
Naveen Raj1, Matthew Arkebauer1, Barry Waters2
1Department of Rheumatology, Nova Southeastern University, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.
Case Reports in Rheumatology
|November 12, 2015
Summary
Central nervous system vasculitis is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Steroid treatment effectively resolved neurological deficits and brain lesions in a patient with UC-associated vasculitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon.
- UC can manifest as a systemic disorder, rarely involving the central nervous system (CNS).
- CNS complications of UC include thrombosis, leukoencephalitis, seizures, and vasculitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of central nervous system vasculitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes for this rare neurological complication.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 61-year-old female with a history of well-controlled UC.
- Neurological assessment, brain imaging (MRI), and brain biopsy.
- Histopathological examination of brain lesions and rheumatology serological testing.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with altered mental status and weakness.
- Brain biopsy revealed vasculitis with coagulative necrosis.
- Neurological function improved dramatically with steroid treatment, and brain lesions resolved.
Conclusions:
- Central nervous system vasculitis can be a rare but serious complication of ulcerative colitis.
- Prompt diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy, such as corticosteroids, are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of considering neurological manifestations in UC patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
1.4K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
1.4K
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
627
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...
627
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
913
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
913
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
1.5K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
1.5K
01:16Vascular Spasm
4.8K
The vascular phase, also known as vasospasm, is the initial stage of hemostasis, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. After a vessel is cut, nerves in the damaged area trigger pain and other sensory impulses. Simultaneously, the smooth muscles in the vessel wall contract, resulting in a vascular spasm. This contraction reduces the vessel's diameter at the injury site, slowing or stopping blood loss through the vessel wall. Vascular spasms typically last...
4.8K
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
520
Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
520