Subdural and meaningful involvement related to Wegener's granulomatosis: case report

A case of atypical chronic subdural hematoma: a spontaneous rupture of dural lymphoma nodule

In forensic medicine, a chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) usually results from trauma, sometimes minimal for elderly people. The case reported here is a forensic medical description of an atypical chronic subdural hematoma. A woman aged of 40-year-old died following a coma. The autopsy and histological analyses revealed the hemorrhagic disintegration of a lymphoid nodule, a metastasis from generalized lymphoma. The combination of chronic symptomatic SDH and a tumor of the dura mater have been described, but are very rare. The possibility of trauma, even minimal, has never been excluded in these cases. In fact, the clinical picture of these patients suggested a significant movement of the brain within the cranial cavity due to the physiological decrease in brain volume. In the reported case, this particular process was excluded since the spontaneous hemorrhagic effusion produced by the meningeal lymphoid nodule was the cause of the chronic SDH. This pathophysiological explanation was possible because the entire brain and meninges were removed for histological analysis. Trauma, even minimal trauma, is not always involved in the formation of a chronic SDH.

Wegener's granulomatosis with subdural hematoma as the initial manifestation

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic vasculitis, which can involve any organ system in the body; however, involvement of central nervous system at presentation is very uncommon. Dural involvement in WG has been infrequently reported; however, presentation with subdural hematoma as the initial manifestation is extremely rare. We present a case of WG presenting as subdural hematoma, which resolved on cytotoxic therapy without surgical evacuation.

Central nervous system involvement in Wegener granulomatosis

Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated granulomatous vasculitis of small and medium-sized vessels. This vasculitis involves mainly the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys, although WG may affect any organ. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is an uncommon manifestation of WG, reported in 7%-11% of patients. Three major mechanisms have been incriminated as causing CNS disease in WG: contiguous invasion of granuloma from extracranial sites, remote intracranial granuloma, and CNS vasculitis. Herein we describe 6 patients with WG-related CNS involvement, 2 of whom had chronic hypertrophic pachymeningitis, 3 with pituitary involvement, and 1 with cerebral vasculitis. CNS involvement was present at disease onset in 2 patients and occurred 5-18 years after WG diagnosis in the remaining 4. Based on these observations and a review of the literature, we discuss the pathogenic mechanisms, clinical features, imaging findings, treatment, and outcome of meningeal, pituitary, and vascular involvement, with an emphasis on differential diagnoses, prognosis, and therapeutic management of WG-related CNS involvement.

Intracranial hemorrhage and rebleeding in suspected victims of abusive head trauma: addressing the forensic controversies

Does an expanded subarachnoid space predispose to subdural bleeding? What does heterogeneity in the appearance of a subdural collection on CT or MRI imaging indicate? Spontaneous rebleeding? Minor re-injury? Major re-injury? In some specific cases, answers to these questions have important forensic implications. To conclude objectively that an infant's intracranial hemorrhage or rebleeding resulted from inflicted injury or re-injury requires an in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of posttraumatic subdural and subarachnoid collections. The authors present two cases of indoor, accidental, pediatric, closed-head trauma that resulted in intracranial rebleeding. Both accidental cranial impacts occurred in medical settings and were independently witnessed by medical personnel. In addition, the authors summarize the relevant medical literature regarding pediatric intracranial bleeding and rebleeding.

Vasculitis of the central nervous system

Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis occurs in a variety of clinical settings. Some exhibit a distinct age preference; others a tissue tropism. Most frequently encountered are giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) and vasculitis secondary to infections. The CNS may be involved in the systemic vasculitides, and neurologic abnormalities occasionally appear as a presenting manifestation of disease. Isolated angiitis of the CNS, a rare form of vasculitis restricted to the CNS, must be distinguished from other causes of CNS inflammation and from noninflammatory vascular disease. We are learning a great deal about the cellular mechanisms of vascular inflammation in the brain. Some manifestations of the clinical disease result from histologic features of the infiltrate and the size of affected vessel. However, the local consequences of inflammation such as increased coagulation and altered vasomotor tone, as well as the systemic consequences such as activation of the central noradrenergic systems, trigeminovascular system, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis contribute to both pathogenesis of disease and recovery. Two central issues that confront us now are improving the accuracy of the diagnosis (including identifying any underlying infectious causes) and limiting the long-term damage both from disease and its therapies.

Communicating hydrocephalus secondary to diffuse meningeal spread of Wegener's granulomatosis: case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

We present a very unusual case of diffuse spread of Wegener's granulomatosis causing hydrocephalus.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 53-year-old man presented in 1985 with bilateral middle ear infections requiring myringotomies. During the next 18 months, he went on to develop a left Bell's palsy. The patient then began to develop recurrent occipital headaches along with left sixth and seventh nerve palsies and a green nasal discharge requiring hospitalization. Workup included magnetic resonance imaging showing pronounced enhancement of the tentorium and meninges in the occipital region with normal ventricle size. An x-ray of the chest showed multiple pulmonary nodules. A regimen of prednisone and cyclophosphamide was initiated. The patient did well for 2 years until he again developed middle ear infections and headache. Serial lumbar punctures showed increased pressures. A circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody was positive. Cyclophosphamide was administered, with acetazolamide added for treatment of the elevated intracranial pressure. The patient stabilized for another 2 years but then presented in 1994 with recurrent headache, bilateral papilledema, and mild left arm and right leg weakness. A lumbar puncture was performed with an opening pressure of 52 cm H2O. Computed tomography of the head revealed moderate enlargement of the lateral third and fourth ventricles, consistent with communicating hydrocephalus.

INTERVENTION

A right frontal ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. A leptomeningeal biopsy performed at the side of catheter placement (far away from any meningeal enhancement revealed by magnetic resonance imaging) showed chronic meningitis and multinucleated giant cells. Cyclophosphamide therapy was begun again. The patient has not experienced recurrence of headache, cranial nerve deficits, or papilledema for more than 3 years.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of diffuse involvement of the meninges from Wegener's granulomatosis. Fortunately, this patient responded well to shunting and sustained medical management. Although rare, Wegener's granulomatosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic aseptic meningitis, communicating hydrocephalus, and papilledema.

Central nervous system vasculitis

Central nervous system vasculitis occurs in a variety of clinical settings. Some exhibit a distinct age preference; others a tissue tropism. Most frequently encountered are giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) and vasculitis secondary to infections. The central nervous system may be involved in the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated systemic vasculitides and occasionally neurologic abnormalities appear as a presenting manifestation of disease. Isolated angiitis of the central nervous system, a rare form of vasculitis that is restricted to the central nervous system, must be distinguished from other causes of central nervous system inflammation and from noninflammatory vascular disease. We are learning a great deal about the cellular mechanisms of vascular inflammation in general. Some manifestations of the clinical disease result from histologic features of the infiltrate and the size of affected vessel. However, the local consequences of inflammation, such as increased coagulation and altered vasomotor tone, as well as the systemic consequences, such as activation of the central noradrenergic systems, trigeminovascular system, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, contribute both to pathogenesis of disease and to recovery.