Cerebral amyloid angiopathy related inflammation: three case reports and a review

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;82(1):20-6. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2009.204180. Epub 2010 Oct 9.

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy related inflammation (CAA-I), previously described under various names, is a treatable encephalopathy usually occurring in older adults. Here, three patients are described with histopathologically confirmed CAA-I, and summarised data from the published literature are presented. CAA-I has a characteristic combination of clinical and radiological features. Definite diagnosis requires brain and leptomeningeal biopsy. A favourable response to immunosuppressive therapy is common and treatment without brain biopsy may be considered in selected patients. Diagnostic criteria for CAA-I are proposed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Vessels / pathology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / drug therapy
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / pathology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Prognosis
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Dexamethasone
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Methylprednisolone