Cerebral segmental arterial mediolysis in a pediatric patient: A novel case

Abstract

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic arteriopathy of unknown etiology mostly described in adults and involving abdominal arteries. Pathologically a non-inflammatory degeneration of the media of muscular arteries is seen. Most of the time, arterial involvement concerns only one anatomical site but can spread to other sites. We report a rare case of cerebral SAM in a pediatric patient who passed away after a massive right parietal intracranial hemorrhage. Autopsy findings are consistent with SAM of the basilar artery, unilateral middle cerebral artery and focally a superficial cortical artery. This report is the first documented case of intracranial SAM in a pediatric patient.

Keywords

• Segmental arterial mediolysis
• Cerebral vasculature
• Intra-cranial hemorrhage
• Pediatric