Baseline, clinical course, and work-up among patients with and without RCVS
| Variable | RCVS (n = 9) | No RCVS (n = 17) | Pa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (mean) (yr) | 44.9 | 55.7 | .06 |
| Women (%) | 8 (88.9) | 10 (58.8) | .19 |
| Race | |||
| White (%) | 8 (88.9) | 12 (70.6) | .39 |
| African American (%) | 1 (11.1) | 2 (11.8) | |
| Other (%) | 0 (0) | 3 (17.7) | |
| Medical history | |||
| Migraine (%) | 4 (44.4) | 0 (0) | .008 |
| Depression/anxiety (%) | 8 (88.9) | 3 (17.6) | .001 |
| Hypertension (%) | 2 (22.2) | 14 (82.4) | .009 |
| Trigger/associated condition | 7 (77.8) | 2 (11.8) | .002 |
| Vasoconstrictive drugs | |||
| SSRI (%) | 6 (66.7) | 1 (5.9) | .002 |
| Illicit drugs (%) | 0 (0) | 1 (5.9) | .65 |
| Postpartum (%) | 2 (22.2) | 0 (0) | .11 |
| Clinical presentation | |||
| Thunderclap headache (%) | 5 (55.6) | 1 (5.9) | .01 |
| Other headaches (%) | 2 (22.2) | 5 (29.4) | .54 |
| Focal neurologic signs | |||
| Hemiparesis/aphasia (%) | 5 (55.6) | 10 (58.8) | .99 |
| Visual symptoms (%) | 3 (33.3) | 1 (5.9) | .10 |
| Seizures (%) | 2 (22.0) | 1 (5.9) | .27 |
| Diagnostic work-up | |||
| ESR (mean) (mm/h) | 22.5 | 43.9 | .31 |
| CRP (mean) (mg/L) | 3.0 | 1.9 | .61 |
| Normal CSFb (%) | 2/5 (40.0) | 4/9 (44.4) | .99 |
| Brain biopsy (%) | 1 (11.1) | 1 (5.9) | .58 |
| Abnormal neuroimaging findings (%) | |||
| Infarct (%) | 3 (33.3) | 13 (76.5) | .046 |
| Multiple (%) | 2/3 (66.7) | 12/13 (92.3) | .35 |
| Borderzone territory (%) | 2/3 (66.7) | 1/13 (7.7) | .08 |
| IPH (%) | 0 (0) | 4 (23.5) | .26 |
| SAH in convexity (%) | 5 (55.6) | 2 (11.8) | .03 |
| CTA/MRA with vasculopathy | |||
| CTA [n = 14]c (%) | 2/5 (40) | 5/9 (55.6) | .99 |
| MRA [n = 16]c (%) | 2/6 (33.3) | 10/10 (100) | .008 |
| Patients with intracranial vasculopathy on DSA not detected by CTA and/or MRA (n = 26) (%) | 6/9 (66.7) | 3/17 (17.6) | .028 |
| RCVS-2 score of ≥ 5 | 5 (55.6) | 1 (5.9) | .01 |
Note:—CRP indicates C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IPH, intraparenchymal hemorrhage; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
↵a P value calculated using a t test, χ2 test, or Fisher test as appropriate.
↵b Normal CSF if <5 cells and <50 mg/dL.
↵c Number of examinations performed including both groups.