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Concomitant reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and transient global amnesia

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Abstract

Background

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a common cause of thunderclap headache (TCH), mainly recurrent, sometimes associated with seizures and/or neurological deficit. Association with amnesia is exceptional. We report a case series of RCVS concomitant with transient global amnesia (TGA) and propose pathophysiologic hypotheses.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological features of patients diagnosed with confirmed concomitant RCVS and TGA between 2012 and 2018 in two specialized institutions.

Results

Two women aged 67 and 53, and a 64-year-old man had a first thunderclap headache triggered by an acute emotional stress, rapidly followed by TGA. Amnesia resolved within a few hours and RCVS was proven for all, with complete resolution of vasospasms within 3 months. All three patients had excellent outcome.

Conclusions

RCVS and TGA can occur simultaneously, which suggests common mechanisms such as aberrant responses to physical or emotional stress and cerebral vasoconstriction.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge all the patients for their agreement to participate in this observational study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France

    Rosalie Boitet, Nicolas Gaillard, Eddine Bendiab, Lucas Corti, Caroline Arquizan & Anne Ducros

  2. Emergency Headache Centre, Lariboisière Hospital, Assistance Publique Des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

    Caroline Roos

  3. Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France

    Jacques Reynes

  4. Department of Neuroradiology, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France

    Vincent Costalat

  5. Neurology Department, Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, 80 Avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295, Montpellier, France

    Nicolas Gaillard

Authors
  1. Rosalie Boitet
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  2. Nicolas Gaillard
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  3. Eddine Bendiab
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  4. Lucas Corti
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  5. Caroline Roos
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  6. Jacques Reynes
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  7. Vincent Costalat
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  8. Caroline Arquizan
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  9. Anne Ducros
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Gaillard.

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Nothing to report.

Ethical standards

All patients agreed to participate to this observational study, which was approved by the local ethics committee.

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Boitet, R., Gaillard, N., Bendiab, E. et al. Concomitant reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and transient global amnesia. J Neurol 267, 390–394 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09594-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09594-5

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