Cerebral arteritis in scleroderma.

• DOI: 10.1161/01.str.10.5.595
• Publication Date: 2011-06-17T20:08:03Z
• Authors: E Estey; A Lieberman; R Pinto; M Meltzer; J Ransohoff
• Keywords: Adult; Arteritis; Scleroderma, Systemic; Aspirin; Methylprednisolone; Cerebral Angiography; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Cerebral Arterial Diseases

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is rare in scleroderma unless there are concomitant abnormalities in renal or lung function or malignant hypertension. A 43-year-old woman with typical scleroderma developed subacute encephalopathy despite absence of the above abnormalities. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a focal arteritis. The patient improved while being given corticosteroids. We believe this case indicates that cerebral arteritis can occur in scleroderma.