Biopsy-proven cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine abuse.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-1990
Abstract
We report cerebral vasculitis in 2 cocaine users who developed symptoms (transient blindness and persistent headache) while smoking "crack," followed by progressive widespread cerebral dysfunction with focal signs over the next few weeks. One patient had smoked crack exclusively, and the other also used cocaine intravenously. Sedimentation rates were elevated and HIV titers negative. Arteriography was normal in 1 patient and in the other showed multiple large-vessel occlusions without beading. Brain biopsy showed vasculitis involving small vessels in both patients. Multinucleated cells were present in the neuropil, but there were no granulomas or evidence of infection. One patient improved significantly with corticosteroid treatment, and made a good recovery. The other died despite corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment.
Volume
40
Issue
7
First Page
1092
Last Page
1094
ISSN
0028-3878
Published In/Presented At
Krendel, D. A., Ditter, S. M., Frankel, M. R., & Ross, W. K. (1990). Biopsy-proven cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine abuse. Neurology, 40(7), 1092–1094. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.40.7.1092
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
2356010
Department(s)
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Document Type
Article