Severe Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome with Large Posterior Cerebral Infarction

Abstract

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by thunderclap headache and multifocal cerebral vasoconstriction. Cerebral vasoconstriction is reversible, and most cases have good prognosis. However, clinical outcome is possibly severe when it is complicated by stroke, yet detailed reports on such a case are few. We experienced a case of severe reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in a 32-year-old woman with medical history of preeclampsia 3years prior. She presented with sudden sharp headache followed by altered mental status and vasoconstriction of the bilateral posterior cerebral arteries. She was treated with intravenous and oral calcium channel blockers, edaravone, and glycerol. However, the cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation subsequently remained, and her impaired consciousness did not recover. Furthermore, although imaging findings of vasoconstriction showed improvement a day after the occurrence of symptom, the same vessels showed poor visualization 7 weeks later, which indicated the recurrence of vasoconstriction, without additional symptom due to the fixed infarction. Although most cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome show good prognosis, neurologists must monitor the possibility of worse clinical course and permanent neurological deficit when associated with stroke, such as cerebral infarction. Strict management and treatment are needed in these cases.

Keywords: Cerebral infarction; permanent neurological deficit; severe reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome; stroke.