scholarly journals OnabotulinumtoxinA injections: treatment of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome chronic daily headaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e228562
Author(s):  
Ricardo Senno ◽  
Ethan Schonfeld ◽  
Charulatha Nagar

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare condition characterised by repetitive, multifocal, vasofluctuations of cerebral arteries. A key symptom is chronic, disabling ‘thunderclap’ headaches, which are extremely difficult to treat as established medications may exacerbate the pathophysiology of RCVS. OnabotulinumtoxinA (OBT-A) injections are used for the prophylaxis of chronic daily headaches (CDH). The mechanism of action of OBT-A significantly differs from oral headache treatments. Thus, OBT-A may be an effective, safe treatment of RCVS-CDH. A 51-year-old woman with RCVS-CDH presented to outpatient clinic. This case report describes the first, believed, documented treatment of RCVS-CDH by OBT-A injections. In 2018, the consented patient received a total of 200 units of OBT-A, 155 units to the 31 approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sites and 45 units injected into the bilateral occipital belly of occipitofrontalis muscles. The patient reported 3 months of excellent pain relief (60% reduction). Three rounds of OBT-A injection, each 3 months apart, resulted in 80% reduction. OBT-A injections may prove a successful, novel treatment for RCVS-CDH.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolla Giovanna Rossito de Magalhães ◽  
Marina Buldrini Filogonio Seraidarian ◽  
Bernardo Tardin Caetano ◽  
Barbara Oliveira Paixão ◽  
Tassila Oliveira Nery de Freitas ◽  
...  

Context: The Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (SVCR) is characterized by rapid and reversible vasoconstriction and segmental dilation of cerebral arteries, usually preceded by thunderclap headache. The involvement of second and third-order branches of the cerebral arteries is the most commom finding in a cerebral angiography. This report is about a SVCR case with atypical involvement, significantly compromising extracranial vessels and raising the hypothesis of association between the use of hormonal blocker gosserelin acetate (ZoladexTM) with SVCR. Case report: Female, 39 years old, with breast cancer and bone metastasis using ZoladexTM that presented with a sudden headache and vomiting, progressing to global afasia and paresis in the right upper limb. Magnetic resonance identified hyperacute intraparenchymal hematoma in left frontoparietal convexity and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Cerebral angiography showed irregularities in the distal branches (M3 and M4) of the middle cerebral arteries, as well as in the superficial temporal artery, characterized by focal strictures. Conclusion: Studies show that hormonal fluctuations in the postpartum period can trigger SVCR due to the drop in estrogen and progesterone (gonadotropins). During postpartum, the stimulus of breastfeeding increases prolactin levels leading to GnRH suppression, which decreases the level of gonadotropins. ZoladexTM is a GnRH analogue and its chronic administration results in suppression of these hormones - similar to the postpartum period. Therefore, there may be an association of hormonal blockers with SVCR.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Enderton ◽  
Michael Steven Cardwell

AbstractPostpartum takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare phenomenon caused by stress-induced, elevated levels of catecholamines and vasoconstrictive agents or by the administration of vasoconstrictive drugs such as bromocriptine and ergotrates. The condition has only been described in the past 20 years. The usual clinical course is complete resolution, although maternal mortality is estimated at 1%. An equally rare condition is postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Like postpartum takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the etiology of postpartum cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is thought to involve stress-induced, elevated levels of catecholamines and vasoconstrictive agents. Also, like postpartum takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the usual clinical course is complete resolution. This is the first reported case where both of these rare conditions occurred in the same patient after spontaneous vaginal delivery.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Kobayashi

Background Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by recurrent thunderclap headaches with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction, and often precipitated by the postpartum state and vasoactive medications. We describe a case of a patient with RCVS induced by amezinium metilsulfate, a sympathomimetic drug, in whom magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) initially revealed diffusely dilated cerebral arteries. Case description A 34-year-old woman was prescribed amezinium metilsulfate for hypotension. Twelve days later, she suffered from abrupt severe headaches and was referred to our department. She had no neurological deficits; however, MRA revealed diffusely dilated anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries with vasoconstriction. She was tentatively diagnosed with RCVS and successfully treated with verapamil for headache. Nevertheless, follow-up MRAs disclosed widespread segmental vasoconstriction that resolved in two months. Discussion Diffuse cerebrovascular dilation has not been addressed but may be associated with RCVS pathophysiology. In addition, physicians should bear in mind that amezinium metilsulfate can potentially induce RCVS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 944-944
Author(s):  
E Schultz ◽  
S DeDios-Stern ◽  
G Ovsiew ◽  
N Pliskin

Abstract Objective Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), a relatively rare condition presenting as severe thunderclap headache with or without neurological deficits, is characterized by vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries which often resolves within three months and may be associated with stroke. Previous case reports examining neuropsychological profiles of RCVS patients demonstrated stroke-specific and/or diffuse global impairments that often exceed impairment expected post-acute phase of clinical stroke and possibly suggest residual deficits related to RCVS alone (Perdices & Herkes, 2018). Method The present case is a 36-year-old right-handed African-American male who sustained a left thalamic hemorrhage with extension into the ventricular system following marijuana use. Cerebral angiogram was suggestive of RCVS. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Western Aphasia Battery (WAB), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status- Update (RBANS), and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Teat- 4th edition (PPVT-4) were administered at bedside. Results Neuropsychological testing was abnormal with severe global impairments on tasks requiring attention and processing speed, visuospatial abilities, immediate and delayed memory, and executive functioning. The patient’s expressive speech was characterized by fluent output with pronounced provoked and unprovoked phonemic and semantic paraphasias. Additionally, he evidenced confabulatory responses during memory testing and lost mental set during tasks requiring simultaneous attention. Conclusions Considering the patients clear sensorium at the time of the evaluation, these deficits extend beyond what would be expected by a single thalamic lesion and implicate more generalized cerebral dysfunction secondary to his RCVS. Consistent with previous case studies, this case demonstrates how RCVS may confound and contribute to neurocognitive deficits even after hemorrhagic stroke.


Author(s):  
Neelu Desai ◽  
Rahul Badheka ◽  
Nitin Shah ◽  
Vrajesh Udani

AbstractReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) has been well described in adults, but pediatric cases are yet under recognized. We describe two children with RCVS and review similar already published pediatric cases. The first patient was a 10-year-old girl who presented with severe headaches and seizures 3 days after blood transfusion. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed changes compatible with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance angiogram showed diffuse vasoconstriction of multiple cerebral arteries. The second patient was a 9-year-old boy who presented with severe thunderclap headaches. Brain MRI showed isolated intraventricular hemorrhage. Computed tomography/MR angiogram and digital subtraction angiogram were normal. A week later, he developed focal neurological deficits. Repeated MR angiogram showed diffuse vasospasm of multiple intracranial arteries. Both children recovered completely. A clinico-radiological review of previously reported childhood RCVS is provided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
Paul J Alapatt ◽  
Ajay Panwar ◽  
Gigy Varkey Kuruttukulam ◽  
Kaushik Sundar

A 34-year-old post-partum female having dermatomyositis developed headache and became comatose after a seizure episode. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed a massive left ganglio-capsular bleed for which decompressive surgery was done. Computed tomographic angiography showed multiple foci of narrowing and irregularities in distal cerebral vessels. In view of dermatomyositis, the diagnosis of vasculitis was considered and pulse therapy of intravenous methylprednisolone was started. The patient, however, showed no improvement and developed new brain infarcts. She was subsequently taken up for a diagnostic cerebral angiography which showed multifocal severe narrowing in bilateral major cerebral arteries. These angiographic abnormalities showed excellent reversibility to intra-arterial milrinone and hence, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) was diagnosed. Normal angiographic findings in the first week do not rule out the disease and a repeat angiography should be considered if the clinical suspicion of the RCVS is high. Intra-arterial milrinone has a high diagnostic utility.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e041776
Author(s):  
Ryan Daniel Gotesman ◽  
Naomi Niznick ◽  
Brian Dewar ◽  
Dean A Fergusson ◽  
Risa Shorr ◽  
...  

IntroductionReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterised by severe, recurrent thunderclap headaches (TCHs) and vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries that resolve within 3 months. Abnormalities on non-contrast CT (NCCT) such as ischaemic strokes, intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhages are frequently observed on brain imaging of patients with RCVS though their prevalence varies considerably between studies. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate the prevalence of NCCT abnormalities seen on neuroimaging of adult patients with RCVS.Methods and analysisWe will search the Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases for studies on the prevalence of NCCT abnormalities on neuroimaging of patients with RCVS. Search results will be screened for eligibility by title and abstract. Suitable studies will be fully reviewed and relevant data extracted using a data abstraction form. The studies will be assessed for methodological quality, risk of bias and heterogeneity. Prevalence estimates across studies will be pooled using a random-effects model and subgroup analysis will be performed to assess the impact of age, sex, publication year and study design on prevalence of vascular lesions. Sensitivity analysis will be used to investigate the robustness of the findings. This protocol has been devised using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 checklist.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethics is not required as primary data will not be collected. The findings of this study will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.Trial registration numberCRD42020190637.


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