title: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome 3 months after blood transfusion.
abstract: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by the prolonged but reversible constriction of cerebral arteries accompanied by a sudden onset of severe headache, and is sometimes complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. It is associated with various clinical conditions and treatments, although the precise pathophysiology is not understood. In particular, several cases of this syndrome have been described to occur in middle-aged women within 1 week of a blood transfusion. We encountered a patient with a reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome who became symptomatic 3 months after a blood transfusion. No other cause for the syndrome was found. This case suggests that the risk for the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction may persist for months after blood transfusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Charles N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bosque
mesh_terms: D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents