ABSTRACT
Rickettsiosis is a widespread infection throughout the world and in Africa, it covers a wide range of infectious diseases caused by Rickettsia species. Rickettsial infections, with the exception of Q fever, typically present with fever, rash, and vasculitis. The central nervous system (CNS) can be affected by all rickettsial diseases and is an important target for several of them. Clinical manifestations are suggestive of rickettsial infection, but serology and skin biopsy provide confirmation. Although the presence of abnormal neuroimaging is rare, its presence is associated with a worse clinical prognosis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans mainly show signs of vasculitis, which may be reversible if appropriate treatment is initiated early in the course of the disease. We present here a case of infectious cerebral vasculitis due to rickettsiosis with some MRI features.
ABSTRACT
Crack is the most potent form of cocaine. It directly affects lungs if inhaled and the damage may include barotrauma, acute pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, or vasculitis. The diagnosis of cocaine-related lung damage is based on clinical symptoms and radiological findings. When young individuals develop respiratory symptoms, investigation into cocaine use is necessary. We report the case of a young man with a history of cocaine use who presented for respiratory and neurological symptoms revealing crack lung and toxic cerebral vasculitis.
