, Introduction
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by recurrent thunderclap headaches with segmental vasoconstriction of the intracranial arteries. RCVS may result in ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), but the pathophysiology and data of RCVS-related ICH are not well known [1]. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the process of diagnosis of RCVS when ICH is accompanied by severe headache on patients without a specific medical history.
Case Report
A 66-year-old female with no specific medical history presented with a sudden onset headache during the early morning on the day of the visit. The headache improved after taking acetaminophen (500 mg, Tylenol; Janssen Korea, Seoul, Korea), but the pain recurred shortly. She visited the emergency room and complained of a severe headache. The patient was alert and had no neurological abnormalities. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) on the left frontal cortex with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on the left Sylvian fissure, suprasellar cistern, and perimesencephalic cistern (Fig. 1A, 1B). Multiple segmental vasoconstrictions on the M3 segments of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) were revealed on brain CT angiography and subsequent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (Fig. 1C, 1D). No vascular malformations such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulas, or dissections were observed.
After admission, continuous intravenous infusion of nimodipine (2 mg/hr) was administered with pain control. Brain CT with perfusion study was performed on the eighth day after symptom onset. The ICH was resolving, and there were no abnormalities in blood flow other than the perfusion defect on the region of the ICH (Fig. 2). We changed the nimodipine administration from intravenous infusion to per-oral (60 mg, 3 times/day). During the admission period, there was no change in the patient’s consciousness or neurological symptoms. For evaluating risk factors of RCVS, we checked patient’s history of disease, coitus, exercise, and medication (hormone and vasoconstrictors). However, we failed to find out the trigger point of RCVS. The headache gradually improved, and she complained of only mild headaches. After discharge from the hospital, we maintained nimodipine therapy (60 mg, 3 times/day) for 14 days along with pain control. Three months after symptom onset, we performed brain magnetic resonance (MR) images for follow-up checks, which showed diffuse cortical hemosiderosis on the left Sylvian fissure and frontoparietal sulci (Fig. 3A, 3B). No segmental vasoconstrictions were observed on MR angiography (Fig. 3C, 3D). Written informed consent was obtained for publication of this case report and accompanying images.
Discussion
RCVS is characterized by a severe thunderclap headache associated with segmental vasoconstrictions of cerebral arteries. RCVS is diagnosed by DSA or CT angiography showing vasoconstrictions of the cerebral arteries in at least two parts and disappearing within 3 months in brain imaging studies [1]. RCVS can occur at any age and is known to be more common in women [2-5]. Although the actual incidence of RCVS is not certain, several studies show that it is not uncommon [1,6-8]. The incidence rate seems to increase in recent years, but it is thought to be reflected the increase in the diagnosis due to the development of imaging technology [2,7,9]. The pathophysiology of RCVS is not clearly defined. Sympathetic excitation by medication, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress can cause RCVS. Several risk factors are reported in the literatures. Postpartum state, migraine, head trauma, and drugs may be involved in RCVS, which is thought to be due to hormonal and biochemical factors related to vasodilation, such as estrogen, endocellin-1, serotonin, or nitric oxide [4,7,10-12].
The chief complaint of most patients is bilateral and diffuse thunderclap headache initiating from the occipital area [3,4,13]. The focal neurologic deficit, seizures, and cortical SAH also followed [1]. Treatment is the cessation of the triggers such as drugs with close observation in the intensive care unit with control the pain, blood pressure, seizure [2,3,7]. The prognosis of most patients is good, and recurrence is rare [1,7].
ICH incidence in RCVS is 34% to 43%, and focal cortical SAH of 30% to 35% has been reported through a single-center study [14,15]. Although the mechanism of SAH in RCVS is not well known, disruption of pial vessels and reperfusion injury through high flow in constricted arteries can cause SAH [16]. It is challenging to diagnose RCVS involved SAH, because clinical symptom and radiologic findings are similar to aneurysmal SAH [17]. The pattern of focal SAH is mainly observed on non-contrast images, but aneurysmal SAH mostly shows bleeding in the basal cistern, which helps to differentiate [3,7,8,11]. Although it may be difficult to determine RCVS with SAH from arterial vasospasm caused by SAH, Ansari et al. [11] compared these two diseases. They suggested some helpful imaging criteria for diagnosis (Table 1). In SAH, it is easy to observe the narrowing of blood vessels because DSA is performed immediately. However, if only ICH is present, the DSA, MR angiography, and CT angiography will be examined at time intervals. Because of this, the examination may proceed after the stenosis has disappeared, making the diagnosis difficult. Besides hemorrhage or infarction, vascular dissection are sometimes accompanied, and patients usually have a severe headache that is different from general migraine and spreads bilaterally [1,10]. Rarely, mild headache may occur, and ICH may occur due to vasoconstriction in the early stages of RCVS.
In this case, the patient showed SAH with IPH on non-contrast CT, and vasoconstriction was observed at the initial CT angiography. Although intracranial aneurysms and other vascular malformations were not revealed on CT angiography, we performed DSA to confirm the exclusion of intracranial vascular lesions. The typical pattern of SAH in RCVS patients is cortical SAH; however, the patient’s SAH was very similar to that of aneurysmal SAH. The repeated DSA and CT angiography showed no aneurysm or vascular dissection neither, but we could observe the vasoconstriction of multiple segments on M3 segments of MCA. After careful inspection of image workup, we could suggest the cause of SAH as RCVS despite the similar hemorrhagic pattern of aneurysmal SAH.
Conclusion
As the rate of diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases increases with the development of imaging technology, the rate of diagnosis of RCVS is also growing. However, clinically, it is still difficult to diagnose RCVS in patients with a severe headache accompanied by SAH or ICH. In case of non-aneurysmal SAH and IPH in an unusual location, clinicians should be aware of RCVS as a possible cause of SAH and IPH, and careful inspection of image workup is mandatory.
PDF Links
PubReader
ePub Link
XML Download
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
Print
