BACKGROUND: Earlier reports of cocaine-associated cerebral vasculitis have been based primarily on angiographic findings without pathological verification. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of acute encephalopathy following intravenous and intranasal administration of cocaine. Brain biopsy revealed vascular changes involving primarily small arteries. Findings included lymphocytic infiltration, endothelial thickening, and deposition of proteinaceous amorphous material within and around vessel walls. CONCLUSIONS: These abnormalities are consistent with pathological features of arteritis previously reported in association with amphetamine and multiple-drug abuse. Vasospasm-induced changes are an alternative explanation for the vascular picture seen in this case. The patient made modest improvement with high-dose intravenous steroids.
BACKGROUND: Earlier reports of cocaine-associated cerebral vasculitis have been based primarily on angiographic findings without pathological verification. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of acute encephalopathy following intravenous and intranasal administration of cocaine. Brain biopsy revealed vascular changes involving primarily small arteries. Findings included lymphocytic infiltration, endothelial thickening, and deposition of proteinaceous amorphous material within and around vessel walls. CONCLUSIONS: These abnormalities are consistent with pathological features of arteritis previously reported in association with amphetamine and multiple-drug abuse. Vasospasm-induced changes are an alternative explanation for the vascular picture seen in this case. The patient made modest improvement with high-dose intravenous steroids.
Authors: Martina M McGrath; Tamara Isakova; Helmut G Rennke; Ann M Mottola; Karen A Laliberte; John L Niles Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2011-10-06 Impact factor: 8.237
Authors: Felipe de los Ríos; Dawn O Kleindorfer; Jane Khoury; Joseph P Broderick; Charles J Moomaw; Opeolu Adeoye; Matthew L Flaherty; Pooja Khatri; Daniel Woo; Kathleen Alwell; Jane Eilerman; Simona Ferioli; Brett M Kissela Journal: Stroke Date: 2012-11-15 Impact factor: 7.914