Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome With Concomitant Transient Global Amnesia

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by severe, unusual headaches associated with multifocal segmental vasoconstriction of the intracerebral arteries. In addition to headache, focal neurological deficit and/or seizures are quite frequently described, but anterograde amnesia seems to but extremely rare. Indeed, to date, only one case of RCVS associated with transient global amnesia (TGA) has been published. In case of an atypical presentation of TG, associated with brutal headaches, it is important not to ignore an assocation with RCVS because management, treatment, evolution and prognosis are different. Indeed, TGA is a monophasic phenomenon of less than 24 hours duration, without associated complications, which does not require any particular treatment. On the other hand, RCVS, although most often of excellent prognosis, can have severe complications such as intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and cerebral infarction. In order to limit headaches and potential complications, RCVS require special management, including symptomatic treatments for headaches, complete rest, removal of precipitin factors and introduction of calcium channel blockers for a few weeks.

This study aim to described three cases of patient who presented with concomitant TGA and RCVS, and to discuss pathogenic mechanism which may be similar in both these pathologies.