Korean J Sports Med.  2024 Jun;42(2):154-156. 10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.2.154.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in a Professional Rugby Player: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea

Abstract

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a condition characterized by transient constriction of cerebral arteries, which can lead to headaches and neurological abnormalities. In a case involving a patient who experienced headaches following a head injury, we present a case where the distinctive feature of thunderclap headache, typical of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, was not observed, leading to a misdiagnosis of post-concussion syndrome.

Keyword

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome; Cerebrovascular disorder; Headache; Post-concussion syndrome

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) images. On the brain MRA image, multifocal mild luminal irregularities (arrows) are observed in both A2 segments, both M2 segments, and the basilar artery region. (A) The right M2 and both A2 segments. (B) The left M2 segment. (C) The basilar artery.


Reference

1. World Health Organization (WHO). The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) classification of mental and behavioural disorders: diagnostic criteria for research. WHO;1993.
2. American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). APA;1994.
3. Polinder S, Cnossen MC, Real RG, et al. 2018; A multidimensional approach to post-concussion symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury. Front Neurol. 9:1113. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01113. PMID: 30619066. PMCID: PMC6306025.
Article
4. Ducros A. 2012; Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Lancet Neurol. 11:906–17. DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70135-7. PMID: 22995694.
Article
5. Calabrese LH, Dodick DW, Schwedt TJ, Singhal AB. 2007; Narrative review: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes. Ann Intern Med. 146:34–44. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-146-1-200701020-00007. PMID: 17200220.
Article
6. Wolff V, Ducros A. 2016; Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome without typical thunderclap headache. Headache. 56:674–87. DOI: 10.1111/head.12794. PMID: 27016378.
Article
7. Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al. 2019; Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list. Neurology. 92:134–44. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006697. PMID: 30587518. PMCID: PMC6340385.
Article
8. Ducros A, Wolff V. 2016; The typical thunderclap headache of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and its various triggers. Headache. 56:657–73. DOI: 10.1111/head.12797. PMID: 27015869.
Article
9. Ducros A, Fiedler U, Porcher R, Boukobza M, Stapf C, Bousser MG. 2010; Hemorrhagic manifestations of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: frequency, features, and risk factors. Stroke. 41:2505–11. DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.572313. PMID: 20884871.
Article
10. Singhal AB, Hajj-Ali RA, Topcuoglu MA, et al. 2011; Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes: analysis of 139 cases. Arch Neurol. 68:1005–12. DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2011.68. PMID: 21482916.
Full Text Links
  • KJSM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2025 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr