Cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine abuse

A variety of central nervous system pathology has been associated with cocaine abuse, including cerebral vasculitis. We report a case of a 25-year-old woman who died of hypoxic encephalopathy following cardiac arrest due to cocaine abuse. Autopsy revealed a distinctive cerebral vasculitis with features characteristic of hypersensitivity drug included vasculitis. The significance of cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine is reviewed.