Abstract
SUMMARY: RCVS is a clinical condition of recurrent severe headaches that may be associated with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and that is defined by the presence of segmental vasoconstriction in multiple cerebral arteries. The angiographic appearance resembles vasculitis, except that the abnormalities resolve during the course of several months. Because the treatment of RCVS differs from that for vasculitis, radiologists must understand the clinical and radiologic features so as to better guide imaging algorithms and facilitate diagnosis. We present a series of 6 cases of RCVS that highlight the imaging features across multiple modalities.
Abbreviations
- IPH
- intraparenchymal hemorrhage
- MIP
- maximum intensity projection
- NSAID
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- PACNS
- primary angiitis of the CNS
- PRES
- posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
- RCVS
- reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
- SDH
- subdural hematoma
- TCD
- transcranial Doppler
- © 2012 American Society of Neuroradiology