Symptomatic cerebral microangiopathy preceding initial manifestation of ulcerative colitis

Focal white-matter lesions in the brain have been frequently found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. These findings have been discussed as a novel extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease. In this case report we delineate the clinical relevance of such lesions by presenting a patient with ulcerative colitis and his associated neurological symptoms. The cerebral lesions were shown by magnetic resonance imaging, whereupon a successful treatment with corticosteroids was initiated.