Infectious vasculopathy of intracranial large- and medium-sized vessels in neurological intensive care unit: a clinico-radiological study

The Spectrum of Pediatric Infection-Associated Intracranial Arteriopathies and Acute Ischemic Stroke at 2 Eastern Indian Tertiary Care Centres

INTRODUCTION

Major and minor pediatric infections may cause intracranial arteriopathies, the long-term outcome of which we investigated and identified the factors influencing the progression/resolution of arteriopathies.

METHODS

We collected the clinical and radiological data of children aged 1 month-15 years who had ischemic stroke with definite arteriopathy following a recent febrile infection. Repeated neuroimaging was done over the next year to ascertain recurrent strokes and the progression and resolution of arteriopathies.

RESULTS

The anterior circulation was more frequently affected (83.33%), predominantly involving the middle cerebral artery (41.67%), resolving in 20.84% of cases and progressing in 33.33% of cases. Lesions were commonly unilateral (54.17%) and stenotic (75%), resulting predominantly in cortical infarcts (45.83%), with hemiparesis being the most common neurodeficiency. Apart from tubercular meningitis patients, others had a good functional outcome.

CONCLUSION

Lower age, minor infections, and unilateral arteriopathies had a significantly higher chance of resolution. Postviral arteriopathies had a significantly lower chance of progression compared with those following bacterial infections. Progressive and bilateral arteriopathies were significantly associated with worse outcomes and recurrent strokes.

Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study to Identify Clinical and Radiographic Features Associated With VZV Reactivation in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients With CSF Testing

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A large proportion of ischemic stroke patients lack a definitive stroke etiology despite extensive diagnostic testing. Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) can directly invade blood vessels causing vasculitis and may be associated with cryptogenic stroke (CS).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of CS patients tested for VZV. The following were considered evidence of VZV reactivation (VZV+): positive CSF VZV PCR, anti-VZV IgM in CSF, or anti-VZV IgG CSF/serum ratio of 1:10 or higher. We describe the cohort, report VZV+ proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CI) determined with the Wald method, and compare patient groups using standard statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 72 CS patients met full study inclusion criteria. Most of the patients were <65 years old, had few traditional vascular risk factors, and had multifocal infarcts. Mean age was 49 years (SD ±13) and 47% were women. A total of 14 patients (19.4%; CI: 11.4-30.8%) had evidence of CNS VZV reactivation. There was no difference in evaluated demographic or radiographic features between those with versus without evidence of VZV reactivation. History of ischemic stroke in the past year (11/14 vs 25/43, P<.05) and hypertension (13/14 vs 35/58 and P<.05) were associated with VZV+.

CONCLUSION

We found a high proportion of CNS VZV reactivation in a cross-sectional cohort of CS patients selected for CSF testing. Testing for VZV might be reasonable in CS patients who are young, have multifocal infarcts, or had an ischemic stroke within the past year, but additional research is needed.

Cerebrovascular Complications After Adult-Onset Varicella-Zoster Virus Encephalitis in the Central Nervous System: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Cerebrovascular complications after adult-onset varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis have been increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and neuroimaging findings, treatment and outcome of these patients.

METHODS

Literature review from January 2000 to December 2019. We searched for studies published in PubMed, Embase and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, treatment and outcome were evaluated.

RESULTS

We analyzed 31 articles with a total of adult-onset 34 cases, including 25 cases of ischemic stroke, 6 of intracerebral hemorrhage and 3 with venous sinus thrombosis. Ischemic stroke was the major complication after VZV encephalitis accounting of 73.35%. There were more males than females in ischemia or venous sinus thrombosis groups. The middle-aged was prone to cerebral infarction, the elderly was for cerebral hemorrhage, and the young was for venous sinus thrombosis. Cognitive impairment was the most common symptom either in the ischemic group or hemorrhagic group. The lesions of VZV-associated cerebral infarction or hemorrhage were multifocal and mostly involved in the parietal lobe, followed by frontal or temporal lobes. Venous sinus thrombosis was common in the transverse sinus. Multiple stenosis of the anterior and posterior circulation vessels was found. A 60.87% of the patients with antiviral treatment in the ischemic group had favorable prognosis. All patients with anticoagulant therapy in venous sinus thrombosis group improved well; however, 60% of the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage had a poor prognosis or died.

CONCLUSION

Ischemic stroke was the majority of cerebrovascular complications after VZV encephalitis, which mainly occurred in middle-aged men. The lesions of VZV-associated cerebral infarction or hemorrhage were multifocal and did not accord with the characteristics of cerebrovascular diseases induced by atherosclerosis. The patients with venous sinus thrombosis had a relatively good prognosis. When the patient represents with some neurological symptoms about one month after VZV encephalitis, and multiple lesions probably induced by vasculitis are showed in neuroimaging, cerebrovascular complications related to VZV infection should be considered.

Neuroinfectious Disease Emergencies

Neuroinfectious diseases can affect immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals and cause a variety of emergencies including meningitis, encephalitis, and abscess. Neurologic infections are frequently complicated by secondary injuries that also present emergently such as cerebrovascular disease, acute obstructive hydrocephalus, and seizure. In most cases, timely recognition and early treatment of infection can improve the morbidity and mortality of infectious neurologic emergencies.

Ruptured cerebral pseudoaneurysm in an adolescent as an early onset of COVID-19 infection: case report

The clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are non-specific and multi-inflammatory. They vary from mild to severe manifestations that can be life-threatening. The association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and pseudoaneurysm formation or rupture of an already existing aneurysm is still unexplored. Several mechanisms may be involved, including the direct destruction to the artery by the viral infection or through the release of the inflammatory cytokines. We are presenting a case of a 13-year-old girl with a ruptured cerebral pseudoaneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery (M2 segment) with severe intracerebral hemorrhage as the earliest manifestation of COVID-19 infection.

Vasopressor Therapy and the Brain: Dark Side of the Moon

Sepsis, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, is caused by a deregulated host response to pathogens, and subsequent life-threatening organ dysfunctions. All major systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, hematological, and the neurological system may be affected by sepsis. Sepsis associated neurological dysfunction is triggered by multiple factors including neuro-inflammation, excitotoxicity, and ischemia. Ischemia results from reduced cerebral blood flow, caused by extreme variations of blood pressure, occlusion of cerebral vessels, or more subtle defects of the microcirculation. International guidelines comprehensively describe the initial hemodynamic management of sepsis, revolving around the normalization of systemic hemodynamics and of arterial lactate. By contrast, the management of sepsis patients suffering from brain dysfunction is poorly detailed, the only salient point being mentioned is that sedation and analgesia should be optimized. However, sepsis and the hemodynamic consequences thereof as well as vasopressors may have severe untoward neurological consequences. The current review describes the general neurological complications, as well as the consequences of vasopressor therapy on the brain and its circulation and addresses methods for cerebral monitoring during sepsis.

Varicella Zoster Virus Vasculitis and Adult Cerebrovascular Disease

The role of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in neurological illness, particularly cerebrovascular disease, has been increasingly recognized. Primary infection by VZV causes varicella (chickenpox), after which the virus remains latent in neuronal ganglia. Later, during aging or immunosuppression, the virus can reactivate causing zoster (shingles). Virus reactivation can also spread to cerebral arteries causing vasculitis and stroke. Zoster is a recognized risk factor for stroke, but stroke can occur without preceding zoster rash. The diagnosis of VZV cerebral vasculitis is established by abnormal brain imaging and confirmed by presence of viral DNA or anti-VZV antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment with acyclovir with or without prednisone is usually recommended. VZV vasculitis is a unique and uncommon stroke mechanism that has been under recognized. Careful diagnostic investigation may be warranted in a subgroup of patients with ischemic stroke to detect VZV vasculitis and initiate appropriate therapy. In the following review, we detail the clinical presentation of VZV vasculitis, diagnostic challenges in VZV detection, and suggest the ways to enhance recognition and treatment of this uncommon disease.

Cerebrovascular Manifestations of Lyme Neuroborreliosis-A Systematic Review of Published Cases

BACKGROUND

Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a disease caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, involving the nervous system. It usually manifests as lymphocytic meningoradiculitis, but in rare cases, it can also lead to cerebrovascular complications. We aimed to perform a systematic review of all reported cases of LNB complicated by central nervous system vasculitis and stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of literature between May 1987 and December 2016 with patients who presented with cerebrovascular course of LNB.

RESULTS

This study included 88 patients with a median age of 46 years. The median interval from onset of symptoms suggesting Lyme disease to first symptoms of cerebrovascular manifestations of LNB was 3.5 months. The most common cerebrovascular manifestation of LNB was ischemic stroke (76.1%), followed by TIA (11.4%). The posterior circulation was affected alone in 37.8% of patients, the anterior circulation in 24.4% of patients, and in 37.8% of cases, posterior and anterior circulations were affected simultaneously. The most common affected vessels were middle cerebral artery-in 19 cases, basilar artery-in 17 cases, and anterior cerebral artery-in 16 cases. A good response to antibiotic treatment was achieved in the vast number of patients (75.3%). The overall mortality rate was 4.7%.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral vasculitis and stroke due to LNB should be considered, especially in patients who live in or have come from areas with high prevalence of tick-borne diseases, as well as in those without cardiovascular risk factors, but with stroke-like symptoms of unknown cause.

MR imaging of adult acute infectious encephalitis

BACKGROUND

Imaging is a key tool for the diagnosis of acute encephalitis. Brain CT scan must be urgently performed to rule out a brain lesion with mass effect that would contraindicate lumbar puncture. Brain MRI is less accessible than CT scan, but can provide crucial information with patients presenting with acute encephalitis.

METHOD

We performed a literature review on PubMed on April 1, 2015 with the search terms "MRI" and "encephalitis".

RESULTS

We first described the various brain MRI abnormalities associated with each pathogen of acute encephalitis (HSV, VZV, other viral agents targeting immunocompromised patients or travelers; tuberculosis, listeriosis, other less frequent bacterial agents). Then, we identified specific patterns of brain MRI abnomalies that may suggest a particular pathogen. Limbic encephalitis is highly suggestive of HSV; it also occurs less frequently in encephalitis due to HHV6, syphillis, Whipple's disease and HIV primary infection. Rhombencephalitis is suggestive of tuberculosis and listeriosis. Acute ischemic lesions can occur in patients presenting with severe bacterial encephalitis, tuberculosis, VZV encephalitis, syphilis, and fungal infections.

CONCLUSION

Brain MRI plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of acute encephalitis. It detects brain signal changes that reinforce the clinical suspicion of encephalitis, especially when the causative agent is not identified by lumbar puncture; it can suggest a particular pathogen based on the pattern of brain abnormalities and it rules out important differential diagnosis (vascular, tumoral or inflammatory causes).

Varicella Zoster Virus: A Common Cause of Stroke in Children and Adults

BACKGROUND

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a neurotropic, exclusively human herpesvirus. Primary infection causes varicella (chickenpox), after which the virus becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. As cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines with advancing age and immunosuppression, VZV reactivates to produce zoster (shingles). One of the most serious complications of zoster is VZV vasculopathy.

METHODS

We reviewed recent studies of stroke associated with varicella and zoster, how VZV vasculopathy is verified virologically, vaccination to prevent varicella and immunization to prevent zoster, and VZV in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

FINDINGS

We report recent epidemiological studies revealing an increased risk of stroke after zoster; the clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of VZV vasculopathy; that VZV vasculopathy is confirmed by the presence of either VZV DNA or anti-VZV IgG antibody in cerebrospinal fluid; special features of VZV vasculopathy in children; vaccination to prevent varicella and immunization to prevent zoster; and the latest evidence linking VZV to GCA.

CONCLUSION

In children and adults, VZV is a common cause of stroke.

High-Resolution Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Varicella-Zoster Virus Vasculitis

Varicella-zoster virus vasculopathy is a rare but potentially treatable condition. Diagnosis has been based on angiography, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. High-resolution vessel wall MRI may aid to the diagnosis by differentiating inflammation from other vessel wall pathologies. We present the characteristic MRI findings of this condition in a young patient presenting with ischemic stroke.

Intracranial Vessel Wall MRI: An Emerging Technique With a Multitude of Uses

Intracranial vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) can be a useful diagnostic technique in patients with ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unlike conventional vascular imaging that depicts only the vessel lumen, VW-MRI allows visualization of pathology in the arterial wall itself. The ability to image the arterial wall is useful, as many pathological processes reside within the wall and only secondarily affect the lumen. In this review, we will present 6 clinical uses for intracranial wall imaging to highlight the versatility of this technique.

Clinical management of infectious cerebral vasculitides

A wide range of infections (virus, bacteria, parasite and fungi) may cause cerebral vasculitides. Headache, seizures, encephalopathy and stroke are common forms of presentation. Infection and inflammation of intracranial vessels may cause pathological vascular remodelling, vascular occlusion and ischemia. Vasculitis in chronic meningitis may cause ischemic infarctions, and is associated with poor outcome. Appropriate neuroimaging (CT-angiography, MR-angiography, conventional 4-vessel angiography) and laboratory testing (specific antibodies in blood and CSF, CSF culture and microscopy) and even brain biopsy are needed to quickly establish the aetiology. Enhancement of contrast, wall thickening and lumen narrowing are radiological signs pointing to an infectious vasculitis origin. Although corticosteroids and prophylactic antiplatelet therapy have been used in infectious cerebral vasculitis, there are no randomized clinical trials that have evaluated their efficacy and safety. Stable mycotic aneurysms can be treated with specific antimicrobial therapy. Endovascular therapy and intracranial surgery are reserved for ruptured aneurysms or enlarging unruptured aneurysms.

High-resolution MRI vessel wall imaging in varicella zoster virus vasculopathy

Contrast-enhanced vessel wall imaging high-resolution MRI (HRMR) has revealed vessel wall thickening and enhancement in multiple intracranial vasculopathies, including varicella zoster virus (VZV) vasculopathy. We retrospectively reviewed a database of patients with virologically-verified VZV vasculopathy, who underwent initial and follow-up HRMR between April 2011 and May 2014. Six patients were identified. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, including stroke risk factors, history of VZV-related disorders, neurological presentation, course and antiviral treatment. Initial HRMR in patients with VZV vasculopathy demonstrated various patterns of stenosis, vessel wall thickening and enhancement, predominantly in terminal internal carotid artery segments and the M1 segment of the middle cerebral arteries. Follow-up HRMR showed improvement of stenosis, with reduced vessel wall thickening and enhancement at multiple times after treatment. HRMR has the potential to assist in diagnosis and treatment of VZV vasculopathy.

Ischemic Stroke as a Complication of Varicella Zoster Encephalitis: A Case Report With Detailed EEG Discussion

A 72-year-old man with varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis complicated by an ischemic stroke in the right internal capsule, possibly due to secondary small-vessel vasculopathy, is described in this case report. The focus of this article is on the electroencephalogram (EEG) description of varicella zoster encephalitis and secondary vasculopathy because EEG descriptions are scarce in the literature and detailed descriptions are lacking. In this patient's EEG, right temporal theta waves were found in combination with a mild slowing of the background rhythm to 7.5 to 8 Hz in the acute stage with an amplitude asymmetry (right temporal lobe amplitudes were significantly higher compared with the left side). The theta waves were thought to originate from the ischemic lacunar stroke, the slowing of the background rhythm from early encephalitis, and the amplitude asymmetry was presumed to be of physiologic origin. A follow-up EEG 6 days after initiation of treatment with acyclovir showed a normal symmetrical background rhythm of 8 to 8.5 Hz, wherein the theta waves were significantly reduced in abundance, and the amplitude asymmetry was unchanged. In conclusion, the EEG may localize focal abnormalities possibly due to cortical or lacunar ischemia, which could be explained by early small and/or large vessel vasculopathy in patients with suspected VZV encephalitis.

Adult primary central nervous system vasculitis

Primary CNS vasculitis is an uncommon disorder of unknown cause that is restricted to brain and spinal cord. The median age of onset is 50 years. The neurological manifestations are diverse, but generally consist of headache, altered cognition, focal weakness, or stroke. Serological markers of inflammation are usually normal. Cerebrospinal fluid is abnormal in about 80-90% of patients. Diagnosis is unlikely in the presence of a normal MRI of the brain. Biopsy of CNS tissue showing vasculitis is the only definitive test; however, angiography has often been used for diagnosis even though it has only moderate sensitivity and specificity. The size of the affected vessels varies and determines outcome and response to treatment. Early recognition is important because treatment with corticosteroids with or without cytotoxic drugs can often prevent serious outcomes. The differential diagnosis includes reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes and secondary cerebral vasculitis.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in a patient with vasospasm due to staphylococcal meningitis

Arterial large vessel vasculopathy is an unusual complication of bacterial meningitis in adults that may result in cerebral ischemia and severe neurological sequelae. Previous therapy has included antimicrobials with no specific vascular interventions. The authors report their experience with a patient with bacterial meningitis who developed a vasculopathy with neurological deficits. Percutaneous intracranial intervention was used successfully with anatomical and functional improvement.

Varicella zoster vs. herpes simplex meningoencephalitis in the PCR era. A single center study

BACKGROUND

The introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of herpesvirus central nervous system infections is reshaping our understanding of these illnesses. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is increasingly recognized as an important etiology of sporadic viral meningoencephalitis (ME). Furthermore, mild cases of herpes simplex virus (HSV) ME, traditionally considered a devastating infection, are frequently reported.

METHODS

We compared the demographic and clinical features of patients with VZV (20) and HSV (17) ME diagnosed by Real-Time PCR of cerebrospinal samples in a single center during the years 2002-2010.

RESULTS

VZV and HSV patients were comparable with respect to age, sex, underlying diseases, immune suppression, and the rates of fever, headache and altered mental status on presentation. Seizures, focal neurological signs, systemic complications and in-hospital death were noted only in the HSV group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the prevalence of VZV as a cause of sporadic ME over the last decade. While patients with HSV ME had more manifestations of severe disease, there also was a significant overlap with clinical and laboratory parameters of VZV ME. In the absence of dermatomal rash, differentiation between VZV and HSV ME on clinical grounds alone may represent a true challenge.