Cerebral Radiation-Induced Vasculopathy Mimicking Primary Central Nervous System Vasculitis

Abstract

Cranial irradiation is one of the main treatment modalities for tumors of the CNS. However, it can lead to significant damage to the treated region. Among the late complications of radiation therapy to the brain is vasculopathy of the small and/or large arteries. In this article, we report a case of CNS radiation-induced vasculopathy presenting 30 years after cranial irradiation and mimicking primary CNS vasculitis. The present case illustrates the importance of monitoring and carefully evaluating delayed side effects of radiotherapy as well as emphasizes the importance of obtaining a detailed history of any patient presenting with sudden unexplained symptoms. If a complete proper history of the patient’s past medical diagnoses and procedures was taken, medical professionals would not have needed to conduct extensive investigations and implement treatment plans for a less likely diagnosis, in this case, aggressive treatment of a possible primary CNS vasculitis with high-dose steroids. Therefore, it is imperative to raise the possibility of radiation-induced vasculopathy after excluding all possible causes of deterioration in patients with a history of cranial radiation therapy.