Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) caused by over-the-counter calcium supplement ingestion

A 59-year-old woman was found unresponsive at home. Initial neurologic examination revealed aphasia and right-sided weakness. Laboratory results demonstrated a serum calcium level of 17.3 mg/dL (corrected serum calcium for albumin concentration was 16.8 mg/dL). Extensive workup for intrinsic aetiology of hypercalcemia was unrevealing. Further discussion with family members and investigation of the patient's home for over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements revealed chronic ingestion of calcium carbonate tablets. CT angiogram of the brain revealed multifocal intracranial vascular segmental narrowing, which resolved on a follow-up cerebral angiogram done 2 days later. These findings were consistent with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.Appropriate blood pressure control with parenteral agents, calcium channel blockade with nimodipine and supportive care therapies resulted in significant improvement in neurologic status. By discharge, patient had near-complete resolution of neurologic symptoms.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Severe Neurological Complication in Postpartum Period

A 38-year-old woman 12 days after delivery of her second pregnancy was admitted to emergency room for a severe occipital headache started 3 days before, associated with confusion, nausea, vomiting and walking impairment. Neurological examination showed left hemiparesis, hypoesthesia in left arm and leg. Brain computer tomography images showed a large intraparenchymal hematoma in the right frontoparietal lobes with mass effect on adjacent subarachnoid spaces and on lateral ventricle. The third day during hospitalization, the patient experienced a sudden worsening of the neurological symptoms and a severe headache peaking within 1 minute (min); a new brain computed tomography and brain magnetic revealed another small intraparenchymal hematoma in the left parietal lobe with increase of the amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography discloses multifocal narrowing of the middle and small arteries in both anterior and posterior circulation with a relative spare of large vessels. Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome with intracranial hemorrhage is a rare clinical condition that can be misdiagnosed with other dramatic neurological diseases such as eclamptic encephalopathy, cortical venous thrombosis, primary angiitis of the central nervous system or posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with whom may share predisposing factors and neurological presentation but clinical course, treatment and prognosis is quite different and emergency physicians and neurologists should consider this diagnosis in postpartum patients with hemorrhage.

A 39 year-old woman with milk-alkali syndrome complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

Milk-alkali syndrome (MAS) is characterized by the triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney injury. Once thought to be a rare condition, there has been a resurgence of cases due to the consumption of calcium-containing supplements for osteoporosis prevention and dyspepsia in the general population. We describe the case of a female who presented with acute encephalopathy, hypercalcemia, and new-onset seizure. An extensive hypercalcemia workup and ruling out of other causes led to the diagnosis of MAS from excessive intake of calcium carbonate. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed signal abnormalities in the occipital and posterior parietal lobes that were indicative of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The patient's encephalopathy resolved after treatment of her hypercalcemia with fluid resuscitation and cessation of her calcium supplements. We present our case to highlight this unusual presentation of MAS, challenges in diagnosis, and briefly discuss the pathophysiology underlying hypercalcemia-induced encephalopathy.