Frontiers in Neurology (Jul 2023)

Case report: Meningitis: a cause of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome?

  • Fida Oukhai,
  • Valérie Domigo,
  • Valérie Domigo,
  • Joseph Benzakoun,
  • Joseph Benzakoun,
  • Michel Wolff,
  • Anne Ducros,
  • Jean-Louis Mas,
  • Jean-Louis Mas,
  • David Calvet,
  • David Calvet

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1143215
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by thunderclap headache and reversible cerebral arteries vasoconstriction. The pathophysiology remains unclear, but many triggers were reported.Case reportsWe reported two cases of patients with meningitis who developed RCVS confirmed by brain imaging. They presented clinical and CSF features of meningitis that are suspected to be infectious, but no agent was identified. Headache and artery irregularities were resolved with the improvement of CSF.ConclusionThese cases suggest that in the context of meningitis, modification or atypical headaches should lead to brain imaging to rule out RCVS. We hypothesized that CSF inflammation may trigger cerebral arteries vasoconstriction.

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