Cerebral amyloid angiopathy with related inflammation masquerading as crescendo transient ischaemic attacks

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy with related inflammation (CAA-RI) is an uncommon inflammatory subtype of CAA, with a variety of presentations that can mimic other focal and diffuse neurological disorders. We present a 63-year-old man with recurrent stereotyped focal neurological symptoms, who was initially diagnosed as capsular warning syndrome and treated with antithrombotic therapy. Atypical imaging led to further investigation including a cerebral biopsy, which confirmed CAA-RI; he improved clinically and radiologically with immunosuppression. This case highlights how CAA-RI is often under-recognised and that patients risk receiving inappropriate anticoagulation and delay in starting immunosuppression.

MSC 2021 Virtual E-Abstract

1. Case Report: Dual Antiplatelet In Capsular Warning Syndrome.2. Anxiety, Depression And Occupational Participation Of Stroke Survivors.3. Atrial Fibrillation In Hypertensive Patient With Prior Stroke: A Case Report.4. Radiology Workflow Efficiency In Managing Stroke Patient During Pandemic Covid-19: Early Experience In A Teaching Hospital.5. Are There Missed Opportunities In Reducing Risk Of Recurrent Cardiovascular Event Among Stroke Survivors Living In The Community?6. Efficiency of Hand-Arm Language Therapy7. The Rash That Solved The Diagnostic Dilemma: An Overlooked Cause Of Ischemic Stroke.

Stroke warning syndromes

It is important for physicians to be aware of stroke warning syndromes because, although rare, there is a high associated risk of subsequent ischaemic infarction. Stroke warning syndromes present as stereotypical, recurrent transient episodes of focal neurological deficit, in the absence of cortical signs, occurring within a short period of time. They are broadly divided into two main subtypes, based on vascular territory: capsular warning syndrome and pontine warning syndrome. The exact underlying pathophysiology related to stroke warning syndromes is incompletely established, but proposed pathophysiological hypotheses for cerebral hypoperfusion include micro-atherosclerosis (cerebral small vessel disease) and haemodynamic instability (e.g. hypotension). Atherosclerotic disease involving small perforating arteries in the anterior circulation (e.g. lenticulostriatal arteries) gives rise to capsular warning syndrome and subsequent risk of capsular infarcts. Conversely, involvement of the posterior circulation pontine perforator arteries gives rise to pontine warning syndrome, which can result in paramedian pontine infarcts. Although the evidence is limited, recommended treatment modalities include permissive hypertension, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, dual antiplatelet therapy and statins.

Capsular warning syndrome: clinical analysis and treatment

Background Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) is a rare clinical syndrome, which is defined as a recurrent transient lacunar syndrome. The mechanism and clinical management of CWS remain unclear. The aim of the study was to discuss the clinical characteristics of CWS and evaluate the different outcome between rt-PA and no rt-PA therapy. Methods The present multicenter retrospective study involved three medical centers, and the clinical data were collected from patients with CWS between January 2013 and December 2018. The clinical characteristics of CWS were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: rt-PA and no rt-PA groups. The therapeutic effects and prognosis of these two groups were analyzed. A good prognosis was defined as 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2. Results Our study included 72 patients, 27 patients were assigned to rt-PA group, 45 in no rt-PA group. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors. The mean number of episodes before irreversible neurological impairment or the symptoms completely disappeared was five times (range: 3–11 times). A total of 58 (80.55%) patients had acute infarction lesions on the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The most common infarct location was the internal capsule (41,70.69%), followed by the thalamus and pons. The difference in therapeutic effects between the rt-PA, single and double antiplatelet groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A good prognosis was observed in 61 (84.72%) patients after 3 months, in which 23 (23/27, 85.19%) patients were from the rt-PA group and 38 (38/45,84.44%) patients were from the no rt-PA group (P > 0.05). After 3 months of follow-up, two patients had recurrent ischemic stroke. Conclusion The most effective treatment of CWS remains unclear. Intravenous thrombolysis is safe for CWS patients. Regardless of the high frequency of infarction in CWS patients, more than 80% patients had a favorable functional prognosis.

Capsular Warning Syndrome: Clinical Analysis and Treatment

Background: Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) was a rare clinical syndrome, which was defined as recurrent transient lacunar syndromes. The mechanism and clinical management of CWS were not clear. The purpose of this study was to discuss the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the CWS. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study that involved three medical centers, we collected clinical data from patients with CWS between January 2013 and December 2018. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of the CWS. Patients with CWS were divided into two groups: rt-PA and no rt-PA groups. We analyzed the therapeutic effects and prognosis between different groups. Results: This study included 72 patients, 27 in rt-PA group, 45 in no rt-PA group, hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors. The mean number of episodes before an irreversible neurological impairment or the symptoms completely disappeared was 5 times(3-11). 59 (81.94%) patients had acute infarction lesions on the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The most common infarct location was the internal capsule (76.38%,55), followed by the thalamus and pons. The difference in therapeutic effects between rt-PA, single and double antiplatelet groups was not significant(P>0.05). A good prognosis was observed in 61 (84.72%) patients at 3-month, 23 (23/27, 85.19%) patients in rt-PA group and 38 (38/45,84.44%) patients in no rt-PA group(P>0.05). After 3 months of follow-up, 2 patients had recurrent ischemic stroke. Conclusions: The most effective treatment of CWS remains unclear. Despite the high incidence of infarction in CWS patients, more than 80% patients had favorable functional prognosis

Capsular Warning Syndrome: Clinical Analysis and Treatment

Background: Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) was a rare clinical syndrome, which was defined as recurrent transient lacunar syndromes. The mechanism and clinical management of CWS were not clear. The purpose of this study was to discuss the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the CWS. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study that involved three medical centers, we collected clinical data from patients with CWS between January 2013 and December 2018. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of the CWS. Patients with CWS were divided into two groups: rt-PA and no rt-PA groups. We analyzed the therapeutic effects and prognosis between different groups. Results: This study included 72 patients, 27 in rt-PA group, 45 in no rt-PA group, hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors. The mean number of episodes before an irreversible neurological impairment or the symptoms completely disappeared was 5 times(3-11). 59 (81.94%) patients had acute infarction lesions on the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The most common infarct location was the internal capsule (76.38%,55), followed by the thalamus and pons. The difference in therapeutic effects between rt-PA, single and double antiplatelet groups was not significant(P>0.05). A good prognosis was observed in 61 (84.72%) patients at 3-month, 23 (23/27, 85.19%) patients in rt-PA group and 38 (38/45,84.44%) patients in no rt-PA group(P>0.05). After 3 months of follow-up, 2 patients had recurrent ischemic stroke. Conclusions: The most effective treatment of CWS remains unclear. Despite the high incidence of infarction in CWS patients, more than 80% patients had favorable functional prognosis