Clinical investigation of 6 cases of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome; RCVS

Abstract

Backgrand and Purpose: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by a thunderclap headache and constriction of cerebral arteries with or without focal neurological deficit. To identify clinical variations of domestic cases of RCVS, we investigated the clinical features of eight RCVS patients.
Method: Six consecutive patients diagnosed as RCVS from 2004 to 2010 in our hospital were investigated.
Results: There were 4 females and 2 males with a mean age of 44 years (39-53). All patients experienced a thunderclap headache. Three patients had cerebrovascular complications; one case of intra parenchymal hemorrhage and two cases of both cerebral hemorrhage and cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage. Five were treated with verapamil. Clinical courses were fairly benign; however, one patient had hemiparesis as a sequela.
Conclusion: RCVS should be considered in patients with a thunderclap headache as an important differential diagnosis.