Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is a rare form of fibrosing chronic inflammatory process of unknown etiology, which causes thickening of the intracranial dura mater. We present four patients with hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis who presented with chronic headache and cranial nerve palsies. The diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis was based on neuroimaging findings of thickened enhancing dura, exclusion of known causes and histopathologic findings compatible with nonspecific inflammation in the meningeal biopsies. Corticosteroid therapy was effective in all cases in inducing a complete or partial remission of the neurologic symptoms and signs. We describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis and discuss the relationship of this entity with other inflammatory fibrosclerotic disorders to explain the pathogenesis. A high index of suspicion, prompt confirmation of the diagnosis by meningeal biopsy, and early institution and long-term maintenance of steroid therapy may help to prevent irreversible neurologic sequelae, especially blindness.     

Two cases of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis associated with infection in the external auditory canal and paranasal sinus]

We here present two cases of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis exhibiting unique multiple cranial neuropathies, both of which were associated with otic and paranasal infections. Case 1: A 76-year-old woman developed headache after undergoing surgical dilatation of the external auditory canal, with subsequent development of a bacterial infection. Neurological examination reveled only bilateral hearing disturbance. MRI and CT scans demonstrated thickening of the dura mater and inflammatory granulation around the left cerebellar tentorium. Based on a diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with previous infection, antibiotics were administered, followed by oral prednisolone therapy. This treatment relieved the headache and improved the MRI findings. However, 2 months later, the headache became worse and impaired movement of the soft palate, atrophy of the left side of the tongue, and atrophy of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle were noted. MRI revealed aggravated inflammatory changes around the left cerebellar tentorium and their expansion into the jugular foramen. Occlusive changes in the transverse and sigmoid sinuses were also seen. Case 2: A 78-year-old man developed bilateral visual loss, right frontal headache, and bilateral restriction of eye movement. He had been treated for phemphigus with prednisolone and azathioprine. MRI showed hypertrophic dura mater spreading continuously from the frontal base and ethmoid and frontal sinuses to the falx and right frontal lobe. Since Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultivated in biopsy specimens from the dura mater, antibiotic agents were administered. The clinical symptoms resolved and MRI findings gradually improved.     

Clinical usefulness of thallium-201 single-photon emission CT in the patient with hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis]

We report a 54-year-old female with rheumatoid factor-positive hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. At age of 51 years she developed headache, hearing loss, right vagal nerve palsy, and right accessory nerve palsy. MRI revealed thickening and gadolinium-enhancement of the cranial dura mater. The initial symptoms significantly improved with corticosteroid therapy. Two years later, she presented with severe headache and neck pain. Although gadolinium-enhanced MR images failed to show any change compared with those before recurrence, 201Tl single-photon emission CT (SPECT) showed a remarkable accumulation of thallium-201 in the dura mater. Furthermore, the abnormal uptake of thallium-201 returned to normal after treatment with corticosteroid. 201T1-SPECT was a useful tool for the evaluation of disease activity in the patient with hypertrophic pachymeningitis.     

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis in an immunocompetent adult with positive Aspergillus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid

A 42-year-old immunocompetent man presented with subacute onset unilateral headache and associated lower cranial nerve palsies. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed enhancing thickened tentorium cerebelli and subtentorial dura mater. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and positive polymerase chain reaction assay of Aspergillus DNA. While on voriconazole treatment a progressive increase was noted in subtentorial pachymeningeal hypertrophy, which was excised because of critical compression of the medulla. The excision material showed extensive fibrosis, cellular infiltrates and no organisms. With combination therapy with anti-fungal agents and corticosteroids, pachymeningitis showed regression. We hypothesised that intact immune status and less burden of Aspergillus infection in this patient may have resulted in a chronic progressive hypertrophic pachymeningitis.     

A case of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis developed skull lesion]

We report a case of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP) developed skull lesion. A 70-year-old male presented with the symptom of left hemiconvulsion. MRI revealed that the enhanced intraosseous mass infiltrated into the the dura and brain parenchyma under the parasagittal region of the right parietal bone. Histological examination revealed chronic inflammation with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and fibrosis of both intraosseous mass and dural invasive lesion. Steroid therapy resulted in improvement of clinical symptoms and enhanced lesion of MRI. Three years later, the patient presented with generalized convulsion and weakness of right upper and lower limbs. MRI revealed dural thickening with gadolinium enhancement in the bilateral parasagittal region and falx. Angiography showed occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus. The cause of relapsing symptoms in this patient may have been related to the occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus, due to HCP. We considered that the incipient intraosseous mass resulted from a response of the marrow by destructive progression of chronic inflammation passed through the fracture crack or the cavity of arachnoid granulation.     

Hypertrophe kraniale Pachymeningitis als seltene Ursache für Kopfschmerzen

Hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is an uncommon, fibrosing, inflammatory process that involves the dura mater. The condition is being reported more frequently owing to the use of cranial MRI. The main clinical feature is headache, whereas cranial nerve lesions, cerebellar symptoms, and epileptic seizures occur more rarely. A variety of autoimmune and infectious diseases can result in this condition, which is labeled as idiopathic in the absence of any definite inciting factor. The diagnosis of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is based on neuroimaging of thickened and enhancing dura mater. It can be defined pathologically on biopsy. A specific treatment is indicated in some cases of secondary hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. Mostly, treatment relies on corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. This review summarizes the current knowledge on causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this disorder.     

特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎的临床和影像学特征

目的 通过对6例特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎临床资料的分析及文献回顾,总结该病的诊断及治疗方法,以期降低其误诊误治率. 方法 结合文献对2005至2006年我科收治的6例该病患者的临床特点、影像学表现及随访结果进行分析. 结果 特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎均存在不同程度的免疫功能异常.头痛几乎是首发、必发的症状,大多为隐匿起病,反复发生或迁延不愈.患者可出现神经系统受损的各种表现.本病的头颅MRI可见小脑幕和(或)大脑镰等处的硬脑膜局部或弥漫性增厚,增强扫描可见强化.皮质类固醇治疗有效. 结论 特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎可能是一种自身免疫性疾病.本病临床表现多样,应注意与其它疾病鉴别.应重视头颅MRI的诊断意义.     

Case report of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting with multiple cranial nerve palsy and hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis]

We report a 41-year-old man whose initial neurological symptoms are atypical of Wegener's granulomatosis. The patient was admitted because he developed left ocular pain, headache, bilateral visual loss and left abducens nerve palsy. He was initially diagnosed with optic neuritis at ophthalmological department and steroid therapy was started. Although steroid therapy led to rapid recovery of visual acuity and eye movement, he was readmitted for seizure. Two weeks later, a second seizure attack occurred, followed by palsy of the left side of cranial nerves II, III, IV, V and VI. Brain MRI showed focal thickening and enhancement of the dura mater over left frontal lobe, leading to a new presumptive diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. Steroid therapy was resumed and the symptoms improved rapidly. As right hemiparesis developed during the clinical course, another brain MRI was obtained. T2-weighted image showed a high intensity area in the left portion of the pons. 14 months later, recurrent epistaxis suggestive of Wegener's granulomatosis appeared. A subsequent nasopharyngeal mucosa biopsy revealed a necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. A significant elevation of PR-3 ANCA was also noted. A definitive diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was established. The initial presentation of this case was of multiple cranial neuropathies with no superior respiratory tract symptoms, which are typical of early stage Wegener's granulomatosis. In patients with various central nervous system symptoms and MRI evidence of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis, a thorough clinical workup of vasculitis syndrome including Wegener's granulomatosis should be considered.     

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis is a rare disorder of unknown origin. It is a fibrosing inflammatory process that involves the dura mater. Herein are described 14 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis; their clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, as well as their treatment, are analyzed. Neuropathological findings of six cases including two autopsied cases are also presented. The main clinical features were headache and cranial nerve palsies. Many patients had mild to moderate elevation of C‐reactive protein, and three patients had perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. The CSF in most cases showed inflammatory changes. Neuroimaging studies revealed diffuse or localized thickening of the dura, and MRI findings were key to diagnosis of this disorder. The clinical course was chronic. All patients were treated with corticosteroid and improved intially, but half of them experienced relapses. Two patients received surgical intervention. Pathological examination in two autopsied cases revealed diffuse thickening of the dura, especially in the posterior part of the falx cerebri and the tentorium cerebelli. Microscopic examination of the dura showed dense fibrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration composed mainly of lymphocytes. The cell infiltration was marked at the surface of the dura mater. One case had necrotizing vasculitis of the small arteries located in the dura and the cerebral surface. There were no giant cells, caseation necrosis, or epitheloid granuloma. Four patients underwent biopsy of the dura, and the pathological study showed non‐specific inflammatory changes. The relationship of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis with connective tissue disease or vasculitis syndrome is discussed.     

肥厚性硬膜炎8例分析及文献复习

目的探讨肥厚性硬膜炎的发病机制、临床特点、脑脊液和影像学改变及治疗。方法回顾性分析8例肥厚性硬膜炎患者的临床资料并复习文献。结果 8例患者发病年龄为43～78岁,6例患者均有头痛,2例患者以头晕为主要症状,6例患者存在脑神经受累表现,其中舌咽神经、迷走神经受累4例。血生化检查红细胞沉降率增快5例。腰穿脑脊液检查示压力增高4例,蛋白、细胞数增高;8例患者均未查到结核杆菌、隐球菌、瘤细胞。头MRI及增强扫描示广泛硬脑膜增厚强化。经糖皮质激素治疗后头痛缓解,脑神经受累症状部分好转。结论肥厚性硬膜炎病因复杂,临床多表现为头痛,脑神经易受累,头颅MRI增强发现典型的影像学改变有利于临床诊断,糖皮质激素治疗有效。     

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis.

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is a rare chronic inflammatory process of unknown origin that can cause neurological deficits owing to thickening of the dura. Patients with this condition commonly present with cranial neuropathy accompanied by localized headache. The clinical features, neuroimaging findings, histopathological features and treatment outcomes for three patients with this condition are reported here. The first patient presented with subacute dull headache in the left temporal area followed by left abducens nerve palsy. The second patient suffered from a cranial nerve IX-XII lesion accompanied by an occipital headache and the third patient presented with left optic neuropathy and mild headache in the frontal area. In all patients, MRI of the brain revealed prominent dural thickening, and histopathological study of the dura revealed chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Combined therapy with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs was effective, resulting in almost complete resolution of the symptoms and signs, except for visual impairment in one patient.     

A clinical study of pachymeningitis]

We report five patients with cranial and spinal pachymeningitis not associated infections or tumors. The underlying causes of pachymeningitis in four patients were Sj?gren syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangitis, and dermatomyositis, respectively. In one patient, the cause was unknown. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed an increase in cells in only one patient and elevated protein levels in three patients. Blood test revealed an inflammatory disease except in one patient. The anti-nuclear antibody was present in four of five patients examined, and P-ANCA was present in two out of four patients. The prognosis was good except in one patient of Wegener's granulomatosis. We reviewed 48 previously reported cases of pachymeningitis were not associated infections or tumors. The lesions of pachymeningitis were more localized in the cranial dura than the spinal dura, and many cases had immunological abnormalities.     

肥厚性硬脑膜炎的临床表现及影像学特征

目的探讨肥厚性硬脑膜炎的临床表现及影像学特征。方法通过4例肥厚性硬脑膜炎的病例报告及相关文献资料的临床表现及影像学特征来进行总结和讨论。结果肥厚性硬脑膜炎主要表现为头痛、脑神经麻痹,MRI表现为硬脑膜增厚呈线条状或斑块状,增强扫描后肥厚的硬脑膜强化。结论肥厚性硬脑膜炎可表现为多种临床过程,MRI表现较具特征性,结合临床表现有利于肥厚性硬脑膜炎的早期诊断。     

Hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis due to Aspergillus flavus.

A 59-year-old woman suffered from occipital headache and bilateral cranial nerve VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and right XII deficit after developing otitis media. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a thickening of the dura mater which was enhanced by gadolinium-DTPA (Gd). Aspergillus flavus was identified from the culture of otorrhea. She was treated with miconazole, flucytosin and fluconazole, which resulted in an improvement of the clinical symptoms and a thinning of the Gd-enhanced lesions on MRI. This is the first case of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis caused by Asp. flavus infection.     

A case of subarachnoid hemorrhage with pituitary apoplexy caused by idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis

Steroid therapy is considered to improve clinical symptoms in hypertrophic pachymeningitis. We present a 70-year-old man with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis, whose clinical signs progressively worsened despite steroid therapy. He died of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with pituitary apoplexy 2 months after the admission regardless of improvement of laboratory data and magnetic resonance imaging appearance by one-and-half-month steroid therapy. Autopsy revealed thickened dura mater supporting the diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis. Brain parenchyma is generally not affected by the disease; however, histological investigation suggested that inflammation of the dura caused damage to superior hypophyseal artery resulting in SAH and apoplexy in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The higher dose and the longer duration of steroid therapy should have achieved in our case although most laboratory data recovered within the normal range. The aggressiveness of hypertrophic pachymeningitis must be evaluated by clinical signs rather than by laboratory data or imaging examinations.     

A case of Garcin's syndrome caused by pachymeningitis secondary to otitis media, responsive to antibiotic therapy]

A 55-year-old woman noticed progressive hearing loss, earache and tinnitus in the left side in December 1988, followed by dysesthesia of the left face and hypogeusia. Those symptoms did not respond to the otological treatment of otitis media. In addition, the left eyelid ptosis, double vision and dysphagia appeared in May 1989. On admission, cranial nerves from III to XII were affected exclusively in the left side. The cell counts and the protein levels in the CSF were elevated. The MRI of the head showed hypertrophic dura mater at the left base of the skull covering the temporal lobe. No bone destruction was found in CT. The biopsy revealed the thickened dura mater with microabscess containing Langhans giant cells and lymphocytes. A diagnosis of pachymeningitis was made. After the therapy with antibiotics and then with prednisolone for several months, cranial nerve disturbances disappeared except hearing loss with decrease in cell counts and protein levels of the CSF. The follow-up MRI after one year showed decrease in thickness of dura mater. The MRI, particularly using enhancement with Gd-DTPA, was useful to make a diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis. It is suggested that the administration of antibiotics should be considered in the treatment of the pachymeningitis even if the causative agents were not identified.     

肥厚性硬脑膜炎的临床、病理和影像学特点 (附1例报告)

目的 研究肥厚性硬脑膜炎(hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis,HCP)的临床表现、病理和MRI特征.方法 对1例HCP患者的临床、病理和MRI检查资料进行回顾性分析并总结其特点.结果 HCP多慢性起病,临床以头痛和多颅神经麻痹为主要表现.MRI可见受累硬脑膜T1相呈等或略低信号,T2相呈高信号,增强扫描后增厚的硬脑膜明显均匀强化,硬脑膜病理检查可见纤维组织内炎症细胞浸润.激素治疗有效,MRI复查硬脑膜变薄,累及范围缩小,强化减轻.结论 HCP以头痛、多脑神经受累为主要临床表现.MRI扫描可见特征性的硬脑膜强化改变.病理学检查是确诊依据.     

特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎临床及病理特点(附3例报道)

目的探讨特发性肥厚性硬脑膜炎(IHCP)的临床、影像学、病理表现及治疗。方法回顾性分析3例经影像诊断(其中2例经病理活检证实)的IHCP患者的临床资料,总结其临床表现、实验室检查、影像学表现和治疗特点。结果 3例患者均有慢性偏头痛样头痛及脑神经麻痹表现,2例病程有复发和缓解。2例红细胞沉降率加快、C反应蛋白增高,其中1例类风湿因子升高,另1例抗核抗体阳性。脑脊液蛋白3例均升高。头MRI强化均可见硬脑膜增厚,部位与脑神经麻痹相关。糖皮质激素单用或联合环磷酰胺治疗有效。结论 MRI强化对IHCP诊断有特异性,脑膜活检可确诊该病。糖皮质激素联合免疫抑制剂对IHCP复发治疗有效。     

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA), and diabetes insipidus

We treated a patient with idiopathic cranial hypertrophic pachymeningitis and elevated serum titer of perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) reactive against myeloperoxidase. This 67-year-old man showed multiple cranial nerve-palsies, central diabetes insipidus (DI), and an intrasellar mass. DI and intrasellar mass had been present for 3 years, and DI had been well controlled by intranasal desmopressin. His nerve-palsies were most likely caused by thickened dura matter detected by the brain MRI. Granuloma may develop in the sella, and MRI findings in our patient are compatible to it. Corticosteroid and oral cyclophosphamide therapy improved his neurological symptoms and serum p-ANCA level with showing good correlation. DI improved temporally for 2 months. Few other cases of hypertrophic pachymeningitis with elevated p-ANCA have been reported, however the etiology is unknown. As p-ANCA antibodies have been detected in many of vasculitides, microvasculitis may be involved in some cases of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis.     

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis: Three biopsy-proven cases including one case with abdominal pseudotumor and review of the literature

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare disorder of diverse etiology. It presents with headaches, cranial neuropathies and ataxia occurring alone or in combination. Dural biopsy is essential to exclude secondary causes of pachymeningitis. There is paucity of data on biopsied cases of HP. We report three biopsy-proven cases of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. All our patients had headaches and multiple cranial neuropathies; ataxia was seen in one patient. One patient had recurrent anterior and posterior cranial neuropathies, while one each had recurrent anterior and posterior cranial neuropathies. Two patients had profound irreversible mono-ocular visual loss. All of them showed prominent pachymeningeal thickening on imaging. Infarcts were seen in one patient, which have rarely been documented. All patients showed biopsy evidence of meningeal thickening and nonspecific chronic inflammation of the dura. The disease may have a remitting and relapsing course, and usually responds to steroids. Clinical improvement was excellent in two patients and modest in one on steroid therapy. All our patients required azathioprine during the course of therapy. Early institution and long-term maintenance of steroid therapy prevents neurologic sequelae. Occurrence of abdominal inflammatory pseudotumor in a patient of HP possibly as part of multifocal fibrosclerosis has not been described earlier.