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Corrêa DG, Pacheco FT, da Cruz LCH, Nunes RH, Maia ACM, de Souza Godoy LF, Bisolo L, da Silva NA, Soldatelli MD, de Siqueira Campos CM, Vedolin LM, do Amaral LLF, da Rocha AJ. Intracranial vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging features of infectious vasculitis. Clin Imaging 2023; 98:26-35. [PMID: 36996597 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Vasculitis is a complication of several infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system, which may result in ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and aneurysm formation. The infectious agent may directly infect the endothelium, causing vasculitis, or indirectly affect the vessel wall through an immunological mechanism. The clinical manifestations of these complications usually overlap with those of non-infectious vascular diseases, making diagnosis challenging. Intracranial vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VWI) enables the evaluation of the vessel wall and the diseases that affect it, providing diagnostic data beyond luminal changes and enabling the identification of inflammatory changes in cerebral vasculitis. This technique demonstrates concentric vessel wall thickening and gadolinium enhancement, associated or not with adjacent brain parenchymal enhancement, in patients with vasculitis of any origin. It permits the detection of early alterations, even before a stenosis occurs. In this article, we review the intracranial vessel wall imaging features of infectious vasculitis of bacterial, viral, and fungal etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Goulart Corrêa
- Department of Radiology, Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem (CDPI)/DASA, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Radiology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Torres Pacheco
- Department of Neuroradiology, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, DASA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Renato Hoffmann Nunes
- Department of Neuroradiology, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, DASA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos Martins Maia
- Department of Neuroradiology, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, Fleury, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Louise Bisolo
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nivaldo Adolfo da Silva
- Department of Radiology, DASA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Leonardo Modesti Vedolin
- Department of Radiology, DASA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porta Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Antônio José da Rocha
- Department of Neuroradiology, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Radiology, DASA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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High-resolution intracranial vessel wall imaging in cerebral viral infections evaluations. Neuroradiology 2021; 64:915-924. [PMID: 34657167 PMCID: PMC8520459 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02831-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Vascular complications can be seen in various viral CNS infections. Variable neuro-imaging findings have been described in the literature elucidating the parenchymal changes with vascular involvement. Vessel wall imaging (VWI) can help to detect these vascular involvements. We aimed to describe the role and usefulness of VWI in the evaluation of various viral CNS infections. Methods In this prospective study, we included 15 cases of various diagnosed viral CNS infections (varicella, HIV encephalopathy, HSV encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, COVID-19). VWI and time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF MRA) were included in imaging protocol. All cases were evaluated for the presence of cerebral parenchymal changes, vascular enhancement, and vascular stenosis. Results We found infarctions in all 5 cases of varicella, 1 case of HIV encephalopathy, and 1 case of COVID-19 encephalopathy. All these cases also showed vascular enhancement and stenosis on VWI. The rest of the cases, including 1 case of HIV encephalopathy, 3 cases of herpes encephalitis, 2 cases of dengue, and 2 cases of Japanese encephalitis did not have any vascular complication, and also did not show vascular enhancement or stenosis. Conclusion VWI can be useful in the detection of vascular involvement in various viral infections of CNS which show a relatively higher cerebrovascular complication rate like varicella, HIV encephalopathy, and COVID-19. However, VWI may not be useful in the routine evaluation of other viral infections like herpes, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis, which have a very low rate of cerebrovascular complication rate.
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Inui R, Murakami Y, Ohara N, Yamamoto Y, Ando K, Sakai N, Kawamoto M. Serial Radiological Findings in Meningovascular Neurosyphilis Presenting as Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 30:106087. [PMID: 34500200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.106087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meningovascular neurosyphilis, a form of early neurosyphilis, can cause infectious arteritis, which can be complicated by cerebral infarction. High-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is one of the techniques used to directly visualize the vessel wall. Herein, we present a rare case of meningovascular neurosyphilis, in which intracranial arterial vasculitis was evaluated using HR-VWI. CASE PRESENTATION A 22-year-old man with no medical history of any condition was brought to the emergency room with one day history of right upper and lower extremity weakness. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a high signal from the left putamen to the corona radiata, and MR angiography showed stenosis of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). HR-VWI showed thickening, along with smooth, intense, and concentric enhancement of the right ICA and the bilateral MCAs. The patient was diagnosed with neurosyphilis based on the findings of the blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid examination. The patient's symptoms gradually improved after treatment with intravenous penicillin G and oral antiplatelet agents. HR-VWI, performed approximately 6 months after the treatment, revealed improvement in the contrast enhancement of the vessel wall and the vascular stenosis. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of meningovascular neurosyphilis that evaluated the course of treatment using HR-VWI. Our report highlights the effectiveness of HR-VWI to determine the effects of treatment on meningovascular neurosyphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Inui
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Yasutaka Murakami
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Nobuyuki Ohara
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Yuka Yamamoto
- Department of Radiology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Kumiko Ando
- Department of Radiology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Nobuyuki Sakai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Michi Kawamoto
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2-1-1 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
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Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging in Central Nervous System Vasculitides: A Case Series. Neurologist 2021; 25:174-177. [PMID: 33181726 DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aim to report 3 cases of central nervous system (CNS) vasculitides, in which high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) findings were instrumental in the diagnosis and management. CASE REPORT Case 1: A 41-year-old obese, smoker female with arterial hypertension presented with recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Computed topography angiography demonstrated bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. HR-VWI revealed uniform enhancement and thickening of the arterial wall, suggestive of MCA vasculitis. The patient reported chronic calf rash that was biopsied and revealed unspecified connective tissue disease. With immunomodulation, patient remained asymptomatic and 6-month surveillance HR-VWI showed improved MCA stenoses.Case 2: A 56-year-old male with herpes simplex virus 1 encephalitis was treated with antiviral therapy and improved clinically. Two months later, the brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed new temporo-parietal edema and distal MCA hyperintense vessels. HR-VWI showed MCA concentric smooth contrast enhancement, that was attributed to postinfectious vasculitis and had resolved on follow-up HR-VWI.Case 3: A 41-year-old male presented with 1-week of headache and encephalopathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed punctate multifocal acute ischemic infarcts and no contrast-enhancement. HR-VWI showed multifocal diffuse enhancement of distal cerebral vasculature. Patient subsequently developed branch retinal artery occlusion and hearing loss and was diagnosed with Susac syndrome. No recurrent symptoms were noted after immunotherapy initiation. CONCLUSIONS In these 3 cases, HR-VWI identified distinctive vascular inflammatory changes, which were crucial to guide the etiological workup, positive diagnosis, surveillance neuroimaging, and targeted treatment. HR-VWI is an important diagnostic tool in CNS vasculitides, by providing nuanced information about arterial wall integrity and pathology.
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Bertamino M, Signa S, Veneruso M, Prato G, Caorsi R, Losurdo G, Teutonico F, Esposito S, Formica F, Tovaglieri N, Nagel MA, Amico G, Zanetti A, Tortora D, Rossi A, Moretti P, Gattorno M, Ravelli A, Severino M. Expanding the clinical and neuroimaging features of post-varicella arteriopathy of childhood. J Neurol 2021; 268:4846-4865. [PMID: 34046727 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10606-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Post-varicella arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is considered an uncommon cause of pediatric stroke that is considered a self-limiting, monophasic disease. However, in a subset of patients, disease recurs; the prevalence of vasculopathy or AIS recurrence, severity of clinical outcomes, and standardized therapies have not been well characterized. Herein, we determined the clinical-neuroradiological features, long-term evolution, and relationship between acute phase treatment and vasculopathy recurrence in a pediatric population with post-varicella AIS. METHODS Clinical, laboratory, and neuroradiological features of 22 children with post-varicella AIS between 2010 and 2019 (16 males, mean age at stroke 4 years, range 1.7-10) were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS Of the 22 cases, mean time from varicella to stroke was 4.5 months with 3 cases presenting more than 12 months after rash; 21 (95%) were not vaccinated for varicella; 3 (13.6%) had posterior circulation involvement; and 5 (22.7%) had AIS or vasculopathy recurrence, of which 4 recurred 6.1 months to 2.8 years after initial clinical onset. Recurrence was associated with lack of antiviral treatment during the first episode (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Post-varicella AIS can occur months after rash making diagnosis challenging. Because recurrent vasculopathy was seen predominantly in cases not treated with antiviral therapy during initial presentation, it is important to rapidly diagnose post-varicella AIS through clinical criteria and/or virological testing then treat with antivirals to prevent recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bertamino
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Signa
- DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. .,Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | | | - Giulia Prato
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Caorsi
- Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Losurdo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Esposito
- Developmental Neurology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Formica
- Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | | | - Maria A Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Giulia Amico
- DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Laboratory of Genetic and Genomics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alice Zanetti
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,DISSAL, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Moretti
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelo Ravelli
- Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Vranic JE, Hartman JB, Mossa-Basha M. High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging for the Evaluation of Intracranial Vascular Pathology. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2021; 31:223-233. [PMID: 33902876 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Intracranial vessel wall imaging (IVWI) is an advanced MR imaging technique that allows for direct visualization of the walls of intracranial blood vessels and detection of subtle pathologic vessel wall changes before they become apparent on conventional luminal imaging. When performed correctly, IVWI can increase diagnostic confidence, aid in the differentiation of intracranial vasculopathies, and assist in patient risk stratification and prognostication. This review covers the essential technical underpinnings of IVWI and presents emerging clinical research highlighting its utility for the evaluation of multiple intracranial vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin E Vranic
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Gray 2, Room 273A, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Jason B Hartman
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mahmud Mossa-Basha
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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7
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Bertamino M, Signa S, Vagelli G, Caorsi R, Zanetti A, Volpi S, Losurdo G, Amico G, Dodi I, Prato G, Ronchetti AB, Di Rocco M, Nagel M, Severino M. An atypical case of post-varicella stroke in a child presenting with hemichorea followed by late-onset inflammatory focal cerebral arteriopathy. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2021; 11:463-471. [PMID: 33392044 DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bertamino
- Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Signa
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Center, IRCCS Istituto Gianina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Vagelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Caorsi
- Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Center, IRCCS Istituto Gianina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alice Zanetti
- Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Volpi
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Center, IRCCS Istituto Gianina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Losurdo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Gianina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Amico
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Laboratory of Genetic and Genomics of Rare Disease, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Icilio Dodi
- Emergency Unit, Pietro Barilla Children Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Prato
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Gianina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Maja Di Rocco
- Rare Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Perosa V, Bartels C, Godenschweger F, Speck O, Heinze HJ, Vielhaber S, Schreiber S. Contrast-enhancement in the wall of a cerebral fusiform aneurysm in neuroborreliosis at 7 T MRI. J Neurol Sci 2020; 418:117112. [PMID: 32932169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V Perosa
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | - C Bartels
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - F Godenschweger
- Institute of Physiscs, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - O Speck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, Magdeburg, Germany; Institute of Physiscs, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - H J Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
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9
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Gadolinium enhancement in perforating arteries in a patient with varicella zoster virus vasculopathy: A case report. J Neurol Sci 2019; 403:122-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Waters MJ, Kleinig T. Black-blood magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates varicella zoster vasculitis. Intern Med J 2019; 48:1408-1410. [PMID: 30387310 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Waters
- Department of Neurology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Timothy Kleinig
- Department of Neurology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Song JW, Ojeda S, Romero JM. High resolution vessel wall MRI and vasculopathy related to herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Clin Imaging 2018; 50:336-339. [PMID: 29754069 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Varicella zoster virus is a common viral infection with over 50% of patients over the age of 80 years infected with the virus. Following reactivation, some patients succumb to complications of VZV reactivation with neurologic and optic pathway pathology such as VZV vasculopathy resulting in transient ischemic attacks, strokes, aneurysms, as well as optic neuritis. We show that high resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging can aid in the diagnosis of this condition with circumferential wall thickening and enhancement of the infected vessels. Prompt diagnosis is critical as this is a treatable condition that could result in substantial morbidity or mortality if not recognized early.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae W Song
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sam Ojeda
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Javier M Romero
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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