Concurrent Extracerebral Vasoconstriction in Patients with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Medicine
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) is a rare neurovascular condition.
• RCVS is frequently underdiagnosed.
• Clinical presentations of extracerebral vasoconstriction in RCVS patients are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate clinical presentations of extracerebral vasoconstriction in RCVS patients.
• To determine the frequency of extracerebral vasoconstriction in RCVS.
• To identify potential risk factors and outcomes associated with extracerebral vasoconstriction in RCVS.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of a single-center RCVS cohort in Korea.
• Defined extracerebral vasoconstriction by specific criteria including pain, vasodilator response, and imaging/exclusion.
• Analyzed patient demographics, pain locations, visit routes, and medical history.

Main Results:

• 10% of 80 RCVS patients (8 patients) experienced extracerebral vasoconstriction.
• Pain was located in the chest, abdomen, or both.
• Patients with extracerebral vasoconstriction had higher odds of emergency department or inpatient consultation.

Conclusions:

• Extracerebral vasoconstriction is not exceptionally uncommon in RCVS patients.
• Findings suggest extracerebral vasoconstriction may be underrecognized in RCVS.
• Early recognition and treatment of extracerebral vasoconstriction in RCVS are important.