Clinical Recognition of Granulomatous Angiitis of the Brain: Novel Magnetic Resonance Image

Abstract

Granulomatous angiitis of the brain is a rare form of vasculitis affecting small and medium-size blood vessels. The most common initial symptoms include headache and confusion after age 45. The cerebrospinal fluid is almost always abnormal with lymphocytic pleocytosis and protein content over 100 micrograms/dl. Diagnosis may be supported by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging findings of a hypointense granuloma surrounding a hyperintense blood vessel. Described herein is a previously unrecorded magnetic resonance image in an autopsied case of granulomatous angiitis of the brain.