Vasculitis in the Central Nervous System

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017:1003:173-185. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-57613-8_9.

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitides are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis of blood vessel walls in the brain, spinal cord, and the meninges. The CNS complications are likely to be fatal without judicious use of immunosuppression; thus, early diagnosis may prevent from damage and disability. This chapter updates our knowledge on CNS vasculitis-related immunological mechanisms, neurological complications, diagnosis, and management.

Keywords: Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitides; Diagnosis; Immunological mechanisms; Immunosuppression; Management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / immunology*
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / metabolism
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / pathology
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / metabolism
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / metabolism
  • Cerebral Arteries / immunology*
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / immunology*
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Cytokines