Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome promptly diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging including magnetic resonance angiography during immunosuppressive therapy in a 16-year-old girl with refractory cytopenia of childhood

Abstract

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a syndrome characterized by severe headache with segmental vasoconstriction of the cerebral arteries that resolves within 12 weeks. A 16-year-old girl with refractory cytopenia of childhood, who was receiving the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, developed severe headache and was diagnosed with RCVS using magnetic resonance imaging, including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). MRA is a non-invasive and very effective technique for diagnosing RCVS. MRA should be performed at the onset of severe headache during immunosuppressant administration for children with hematological disorders and may prevent sequelae such as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome or ischemic attack.

Keywords

• Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
• Immunosuppressive therapy
• Magnetic resonance angiography
• Refractory cytopenia of childhood
• Children