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Cerebral vasculitis of medium-sized vessels as a possible mechanism of brain damage in COVID-19 patients.
- Source :
-
Journal of neuroradiology = Journal de neuroradiologie [J Neuroradiol] 2021 May; Vol. 48 (3), pp. 141-146. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Dec 16. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background and Purpose: Cerebral complications related to COVID-19 were recently reported, and the underlying mechanisms of brain damage remain uncertain, probably multifactorial. Among various hypotheses suggested, a possible vasculitis was issued but never confirmed. Herein, we aimed to describe brain MRIs focused on the intracranial vessel wall in a population of COVID-19 patients with neurologic manifestations.<br />Materials and Methods: Between March 1 and May 31, 2020, 69 consecutive COVID-19 patients with neurologic manifestations underwent a brain MRI allowing the study of the intracranial vessel wall at Strasbourg University hospitals and were retrospectively included. During the same period, 25 consecutive patients, without suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection, underwent a brain MRI urgently, with the same imaging protocols. A vasculitis seemed likely when imaging demonstrated vessel wall thickening with homogeneous and concentric enhancement.<br />Results: Among the 69 COVID-19 patients included, 11 (16%) presented arterial vessel wall thickening with homogeneous and concentric enhancement, compatible with cerebral vasculitis. These neuroimaging findings were not found among the 25 patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Middle cerebral arteries, basilar artery, and posterior cerebral arteries were the most frequent vessels involved. For nine of them, imaging demonstrated ischemic or hemorrhagic complications.<br />Conclusion: Cerebral vasculitis of medium-sized vessels seems to be one of the mechanisms at the origin of brain damage related to COVID-19.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
COVID-19 diagnostic imaging
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Neuroimaging
Retrospective Studies
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System diagnostic imaging
Young Adult
Brain diagnostic imaging
COVID-19 complications
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System etiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0150-9861
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of neuroradiology = Journal de neuroradiologie
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33340640
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurad.2020.11.004