Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
    Stroke. 1991 Nov;22(11):1437-9.

    Cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine abuse.

    Source

    Department of Neurology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND:

    Earlier reports of cocaine-associated cerebral vasculitis have been based primarily on angiographic findings without pathological verification.

    CASE DESCRIPTION:

    We present a case of acute encephalopathy following intravenous and intranasal administration of cocaine. Brain biopsy revealed vascular changes involving primarily small arteries. Findings included lymphocytic infiltration, endothelial thickening, and deposition of proteinaceous amorphous material within and around vessel walls.

    CONCLUSIONS:

    These abnormalities are consistent with pathological features of arteritis previously reported in association with amphetamine and multiple-drug abuse. Vasospasm-induced changes are an alternative explanation for the vascular picture seen in this case. The patient made modest improvement with high-dose intravenous steroids.

    PMID:
    1750054
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    Free full text

      Supplemental Content

      Icon for HighWire Press

      Save items

      loading

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk