Multiple intracranial nodules associated with rheumatoid arthritis: case report

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2014;54(4):317-20. doi: 10.2176/nmc.cr2012-0259. Epub 2013 Oct 21.

Abstract

A 71-year-old woman with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was referred to our department because of multiple intracranial nodules. On admission, the RA disease activity was very high even after the treatment of methotrexate in other hospital. She underwent open biopsy to confirm a histopathological diagnosis of the intracranial lesions. Surgical specimen mainly consisted of necrosis surrounded by epithelioid cells. The masses were reduced spontaneously in size without additional treatment. Eleven month later, the lesions were relapsed. She underwent treatment with corticosteroid, and the lesions were remarkably regressed. The clinical course and histological examination were compatible with rheumatoid nodule (RN). Intracranial RN is extremely rare and its clinical course is not completely understood. In active RA patients, RNs should be considered, and histological diagnosis is inevitable for following suitable treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Diseases / drug therapy
  • Brain Diseases / pathology*
  • Cerebellopontine Angle / pathology
  • Choroid Plexus / pathology
  • Female
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Necrosis
  • Neuroimaging
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Radiography
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / drug therapy
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prednisolone
  • Methotrexate