[Reversibility of vertebrobasilar stenoses following treatment with corticosteroid therapy in patients with giant cell arteritis]

Abstract

Introduction: Involvement of intracranial arteries in giant cell arteritis is a rare condition but often carries a fatal prognosis. Corticosteroids seem to be insufficient to avoid ischemic cerebral complications, and could even promote the occurrence of stroke. We report the case of a patient with giant cell arteritis who experienced recurrent cerebellar stroke caused by intracranial vertebrobasilar stenoses with a favorable outcome following treatment.

Case report: A 77-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of impaired general condition. She had new-onset headaches, jaw claudication and transient vertigo, especially when she woke-up. The brain MRI showed a recent cerebellar infarction. One week later, she was hospitalized for a clinical deterioration related to a recurrent cerebellar stroke caused by intracranial vertebro-basilar stenoses. Giant cell arteritis was confirmed on the temporal artery biopsy. A treatment with high-dose oral corticosteroids was begun associated with an intensive antiplatelet therapy. The clinical outcome was favorable with rapid improvement of gait imbalance together with a complete radiological regression of the intracranial stenoses.

Conclusion: Ischemic stroke in giant cell intracranial arteritis is a severe condition without a well-defined treatment. Corticosteroid therapy improves intracranial stenoses caused by vasculitis but should be initially associated with an intensive antithrombotic therapy to avoid early recurrence of cerebral infarcts.