Granulomatous angiitis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Granulomatous angiitis is an uncommon necrotising vasculitis of unknown cause restricted to vessels of the central nervous system.[1]
Historical Perspective
Cravioto and Feigin defined granulomatous angiitis in 1959.
Pathophysiology
Microscopic Pathology
- It mainly involves small intracerebral vessels.
- Microscopic changes include
- Focal fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall
- Variable inflammatory infiltrate( neutrophils , lymphocytes, epitheloid appearing histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells) forming granuloma in the wall of the vessel.
- Ischemic or hemorrhagic changes may be seen in parenchyma distal to the segment involved.