P-ANCA cranial pachymeningitis: a case report

Clin Rheumatol. 2005 Apr;24(2):174-7. doi: 10.1007/s10067-004-1022-4. Epub 2004 Dec 2.

Abstract

Pachymeningitis is an inflammatory process that thickens the dura mater. This disease has various etiologies including infectious, neoplastic, or autoimmune diseases. We present the case of a patient who developed cranial pachymeningitis with a clinical and biological picture suggestive of a neurological form of vasculitis. A 51-year-old woman developed rhinitis, otitis media, headaches, and deterioration of her condition after a course of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. After a booster dose of the vaccine, she developed unilateral visual loss and impairment of multiple cranial nerves. Blood analysis showed inflammation and presence of antimyeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed pachymeningitis. A complete remission was obtained with immunosuppressive therapy. The initial clinical presentation and subsequent remission under immunosuppressive therapy were suggestive of a vasculitis with nervous system involvement. Though vasculitis was not proven histologically in this patient, we believe that MPO-ANCA-related autoimmunity provoked the patient's disease as already reported in similar cases. As pachymeningitis is a fibrosing process, early recognition and treatment of an autoimmune etiology, even in the absence of previous pulmonary or renal involvement, is required to prevent definitive neurological impairment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology*
  • Dura Mater / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningitis / etiology*
  • Meningitis / immunology*
  • Meningitis / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Peroxidase / immunology
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / complications*
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / immunology*
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Peroxidase