title: Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: an important cause of thunderclap headache.
abstract: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (rCVS) is an important cause of acute severe headache that is poorly understood and under-recognised. It typically presents with recurrent thunderclap headaches and is characterised by multifocal, segmental constriction and dilatation of the cerebral arteries, shown by a 'string of beads' appearance, on cerebral angiography. We describe a case of rCVS in a 39-year-old male presenting with post-coital thunderclap headaches following a whiplash-type injury.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montague
authors.affiliation: Consultant Neurologist, Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003075:Coitus; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009553:Nimodipine