Last update:
   24-Apr-2007
 

Arch Hellen Med, 23(6), November-December 2006, 600-602

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Primary vasculitis of the central nervous system in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

D. KOLOVOU,1 S. PAPAGEORGIOU,1 A. BONAKIS,1 A. GIANNAKOPOULOU,2 H. LEONIDOU,2 N. KALFAKIS,1 D. VASSILOPOULOS1
 1Department of Neurology, University of Athens, "Eginition" Hospital, Athens,
2Department of Neurology, "Metropolitan" Hospital, Athens, Greece

Primary vasculitis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare manifestation of AIDS. CNS vasculitis is usually related to opportunistic infections or neoplastic disease and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) itself is a very rare cause. The disease should be suspected when a patient has recurrent strokes, after ruling out other causes. CSF and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis, which is confirmed by brain biopsy.

Key words: AIDS, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Neoplastic disease, Opportunistic infections, Primary vasculitis of CNS.

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