Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation presenting with steroid-responsive higher brain dysfunction: case report and review of the literature

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common pathology in the elderly characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins within the leptomeningeal and cortical arteries [1]. Recently, coexisting inflammations in CAA patients, such as vasculitis or perivasculitis, which clinically resemble central nervous system vasculitis, have been recognized as CAA-related inflammation [2, 3]. The inflammation typically responds well to steroid therapy [4], and recent studies have pointed out its similarities with meningoencephalitis induced by immunization to Aβ in Alzheimer disease patients [4‐6]. Herein we report a patient with CAA-related inflammation who showed convulsion in the left lower extremity and higher brain dysfunction; both were dramatically improved by steroid therapy.

A 56-year-old man first noticed discomfort in his left lower limb in January 2010. After 7 days, convulsion in the left lower limb suddenly occurred, and he was transported to the emergency hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed increased white matter intensities in the right parietal lobe on T2-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) images. T1-weighted gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced images revealed enhanced leptomeningeal lesions along the parietal sulci (Figure 1A-B). No microhemorrhages were observed with Gradient-recalled echo (GRE)-T2* imaging (1.5T). He was referred to our institution.

On admission, neurological exam showed mild hyperesthesia in the left lower limb and mild hypalgesia in the left crus. No other abnormal findings were present. Biochemical screening tests were generally normal except for serum C-reactive protein (0.77 mg/dL), soluble interleukin-2 receptor antibody (462 U/mL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (26/1 h, 72/2 h), and carcinoembryonic antigen (4.5 ng/mL). In the cerebrospinal fluid, protein levels were elevated (72 mg/dl) and the cell count was mildly elevated (12/μL).

Because a follow-up MRI revealed progression of the white matter lesions and parenchymal enhanced lesions without microhemorrhages (GRE-T2* imaging; 3T) (Figure 1C-G), a brain biopsy was performed in March 2010. Histological pathology showed nonspecific meningoencephalitis involving perivasculitis of the leptomeninges and cortical gray matter (Figure 2A-D).

Starting in April 2010, the patient complained of difficulty with his handwriting. Neuropsychological tests of higher brain functions revealed mild constructional apraxia, line imbalance for words and numbers, difficulty drawing a figure following oral instructions, and problems with visual reproduction. No apathy or dementia was observed.

After the episode, further histological analysis with Congo-red staining disclosed amyloid laden blood vessels. Immunohistochemical staining for β-amyloid led to the diagnosis of CAA-related inflammation (Figure 2F-G).

Steroid pulse therapy (methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 3 days) was performed. The abnormal Gd-enhanced findings immediately improved with gradually decreasing FLAIR findings, and the higher brain dysfunctions also gradually resolved (Figure 3).

After the fifth course of steroid pulse treatment, the T1-enhanced lesions had almost disappeared, and we stopped the treatment. However, 2 weeks later, the lesions had relapsed on a follow-up MRI, although no clinical signs were observed. We performed pulse steroid therapy again, followed by oral methylprednisolone therapy (70 mg/day). After the oral steroid therapy was initiated, no relapses were observed either clinically or radiologically. Two months later, the oral steroid was tapered at a rate of 5 mg/week, and he was discharged on a regimen of methylprednisolone 30 mg/day.

CAA is defined by the deposition of amyloid proteins within leptomeningeal and cortical arteries, arterioles, and capillaries [1]. Recently, a subset of patients who presented with seizures, subacute cognitive decline, or headaches with hyperintensities on T2-weighted or FLAIR MRI images with microhemorrhages were described as having CAA-related inflammation [2, 3]. Neuropathologic examination has generally revealed angiitis of CAA-affected vessels and peripheral inflammation, presenting as vasculitis or perivasculitis [7]. Both pathologic forms can co-exist, and it has been suggested that the prognosis is better for the perivascular type [8]. This inflammation appears to represent an autoimmune response to vascular β-amyloid deposits. The mechanism by which this immune response occurs is not well understood, although one possible factor is the increased frequency of apolipoprotein E ε4/ε4 genotype [9].

The clinical spectrum of CAA-related inflammation is mainly composed of rapidly progressive dementia and seizure. Although the initial presentation of our case was seizure and numbness, the subsequent higher brain dysfunction is uncommon. To clarify how often higher brain dysfunction has been observed, we reviewed previous cases including our case (Table 1) [1, 3, 4, 7‐37]. In 64 cases, 10 presented with higher brain dysfunction without encephalopathy or dementia (15.3%). The most frequent symptom was aphasia (6 cases: 9.3%), followed by hemineglect (2 cases: 3.1%). One other case was reported of various higher brain dysfunction without mental change or dementia, like our case [23]. In these ten cases with higher brain dysfunction, MRI lesions and the presence of leptomeningeal enhancement were inconsistent, and thus the presentation of higher brain dysfunction was considered to be derived from the observed lesion rather than specific to CAA-related inflammation.

The MRI presentation for CAA-related inflammation was previously described as characterized by large confluent areas of predominantly white matter hyperintense signal on T2-weighted or FLAIR images [34]. These lesions are typically asymmetric and involve one or more cortical lesions without evident preferential laterality. T2-weighted gradient-echo sequence images usually showed multiple scattered cortical or subcortical microhemorrhages [34]. However, these microhemorrhages were not observed in our case, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. In our review, 13 cases were examined by MRI with an echo gradient sequence, and microhemorrhages were not seen in 2 cases including our case (13.3%). A possible explanation is that the inflammation caused by the immunoreactivity to amyloid might precede the vascular change of cerebellar amyloid angiopathy in some cases, such that microhemorrhages were not observed in radiological exams. This suggests that the gradient-echo sequence image might not be adequate for diagnosis of CAA-related inflammation in all cases. Brain biopsy should be considered if CAA-related inflammation is highly suspected from clinical presentation, even if microhemorrhages were not radiologically observed.

Approximately three quarters of all patients described had a good clinical response to corticosteroid therapy. Additionally, patients presenting with CAA and meningeal enhancement seem to have less progressive disease [29]. In our review, the leptomeningeal enhancement status of 42 patients was mentioned, and the clinical courses of 39 patients were described. Among 19 patients with leptomeningeal enhancement, only one patient died (5.3%) and the remaining 18 patients survived. However, among the other 20 patients without enhancement, 7 patients died (35%), suggesting that leptomeningeal enhancement might be a good prognostic factor.

The distinctive pattern of asymmetric MRI lesions in CAA-related inflammation appears to be distinguishable from both non-inflammatory CAA and other causes. This observation raises the possibility that typical MRI findings should prove sufficient to diagnose CAA-related inflammation without necessitating brain biopsy [4]. However, in our case, preoperative imaging did not show the typical microhemorrhages associated with CAA, and the diagnosis could not have been established before biopsy. Therefore, we suggest that cerebral biopsy with histological confirmation remains necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

We described a patient with CAA-related inflammation whose higher brain functions were dramatically improved by steroid therapy. Because the improvement of cognitive function paralleled resolution of the lesions seen on MRI, this report demonstrates clinically and radiologically progressive improvement of CAA-related inflammation. Our case also suggests the importance of brain biopsy for diagnosis in a case with atypical radiological findings, because correct diagnosis and treatment are crucial for successful recovery and good prognosis.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

All authors are members of the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, and TK was also a graduate student of the Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata until March 2011.