Effect of intracerebral vasculitis on regional cerebral blood flow

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by the xenon 133-inhalation method in a 40-year-old man during an acute exacerbation of intracranial vasculitis. Neurologic function was quantitated by the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological test battery. The patient was also studied during remission that was induced by steroid therapy. Vasculitis produced a diffuse encephalopathy with generalized reduction in cerebral blood flow. During remission, only local symptoms secondary to a small cerebral infarction remained and regional cerebral blood flow returned to the normal range. There seems to be a close correlation between the severity of symptoms in cerebral vasculitis and reduction of flow through diseased vessels.