Dan Li1, Weiwei Qin1, Yang Guo2, Mingrong Xia1, Siyuan Li3, Jiewen Zhang1, Weizhou Zang4. 1. Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, 450003, Zhengzhou, China. 3. Department of Neurology, Dengfeng People's Hospital, Dengfeng, 452470, Henan, China. 4. Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. tiger_zang@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a subtype of CAA with an inflammatory response to the vascular β-amyloid deposits. Reliable and non-invasive clinical diagnostic methods may allow patients to avoid the side effects of brain biopsy. OBJECTIVE: In this observational study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, laboratory, radiological features, treatment, and outcome of patients diagnosed with CAA-ri. The main purpose is to enhance knowledge of CAA-ri and to avoid misdiagnosis. METHODS: We described 15 consecutive patients with probable or possible CAA-ri at Henan Provincial People's Hospital according to a validation study of proposed criteria for the diagnosis of CAA-ri. The clinical features, imaging, laboratory findings, and treatment which included the response to immunotherapy were revealed in the study. RESULTS: The median age of 15 patients was 67.0 years (range 48.0-90.0 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 7: 8. In our study, the most common clinical manifestations were cognitive decline (7/15, 46.7%), focal neurologic deficit (6/15, 40.0%), and headache (5/15, 33.3%). In terms of imaging results, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) lesions were rarely seen in the cerebellum and brainstem, while no hemorrhagic lesion was observed in the brainstem of all 15 patients. In addition, 12 patients (80.0%) showed improvement or stability for the clinical and radiological outcomes after immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: CAA-ri should be considered as a differential diagnosis when brain MRI shows typical features in the elderly. Once the diagnosis is established, immunotherapy should be initiated as early as possible to promote neurological function recovery and reduce recurrence.
BACKGROUND: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a subtype of CAA with an inflammatory response to the vascular β-amyloid deposits. Reliable and non-invasive clinical diagnostic methods may allow patients to avoid the side effects of brain biopsy. OBJECTIVE: In this observational study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, laboratory, radiological features, treatment, and outcome of patients diagnosed with CAA-ri. The main purpose is to enhance knowledge of CAA-ri and to avoid misdiagnosis. METHODS: We described 15 consecutive patients with probable or possible CAA-ri at Henan Provincial People's Hospital according to a validation study of proposed criteria for the diagnosis of CAA-ri. The clinical features, imaging, laboratory findings, and treatment which included the response to immunotherapy were revealed in the study. RESULTS: The median age of 15 patients was 67.0 years (range 48.0-90.0 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 7: 8. In our study, the most common clinical manifestations were cognitive decline (7/15, 46.7%), focal neurologic deficit (6/15, 40.0%), and headache (5/15, 33.3%). In terms of imaging results, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) lesions were rarely seen in the cerebellum and brainstem, while no hemorrhagic lesion was observed in the brainstem of all 15 patients. In addition, 12 patients (80.0%) showed improvement or stability for the clinical and radiological outcomes after immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: CAA-ri should be considered as a differential diagnosis when brain MRI shows typical features in the elderly. Once the diagnosis is established, immunotherapy should be initiated as early as possible to promote neurological function recovery and reduce recurrence.