title: Reversible vasoconstriction syndrome involving the basilar artery in an adolescent: imaging and clinical features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of "thunderclap headache" and by transient, multifocal vasoconstriction of cerebral vasculature. Here we present an adolescent boy whose clinical features fit the diagnostic criteria and whose neurovascular imaging revealed reversible vasoconstriction of the basilar artery alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously healthy 14-year-old boy presented with repeated severe sudden thunderclap headaches following exercise. These symptoms were accompanied by isolated basilar artery stenosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a condition with several clinical triggers. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood. This patient adds to a broadening spectrum of clinical features of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Réjean M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: michael.rivkin@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rivkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: adolescent; basilar artery; reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome; thunderclap headache