Central nervous system vasculitis

Abstract

Central nervous system vasculitides are rare and life-threatening diseases with challenging diagnostics. Their neurological symptom spectrum is multifaceted: the patient may have intense headache, confusion, decreased cognitive function, changes in consciousness, epileptic attacks and symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis. Angiographic investigations, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and examination of cerebrospinal fluid will clarify the diagnosis, but brain biopsy may be required to confirm the diagnosis. In differential diagnostics, special attention should be paid to cerebrovascular vasoconstriction syndromes. Standard therapy of cerebral vasculitis includes corticosteroids often combined with immunosuppressants.