[Cerebral amyloid angiopathy associated with inflammation]

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) associated with inflammation is a rare form of a potentially reversible encephalopathy in a subgroup of patients with CAA. The cerebral amyloid deposition can in isolated cases induce an inflammation predominantly of the cerebral blood vessels and a multifocal edema of the cerebral white matter. The courses can occur as monophasic, relapsing remitting and primarily progressive forms. We present seven cases with different courses of the disease and give an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical aspects and treatment of the disease with reference to the current literature. The cases presented show a very different and often difficult differential diagnostic clinical picture and all showed a significant improvement under steroid medication without signs of recurrence of the disease during the course. The recognition and early consistent treatment of inflammatory forms of CAA with and without direct inflammatory involvement of vessels can be decisive for successful treatment.

Keywords: Amyloid-beta related angiitis (ABRA); Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA); Inflammation; Primary angiitis of the central nervous system; Superficial siderosis.