Marijuana-related Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Intern Med. 2021 Mar 1;60(5):795-798. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5687-20. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Abstract

The legalization of recreational marijuana in some countries has been accompanied by an increased number of case reports of serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. However, there have been few studies describing the detailed clinical course of reversible cerebral vasospasm syndrome (RCVS) associated with marijuana use. We herein report a unique case of recurrent bi-fronto-parietal subcortical (watershed) infarction in the setting of chronic daily marijuana use for several years, with evidence of bilateral anterior cerebral artery vasoconstriction. The quick resolution of symptoms with treatment and the normalization of cerebral vasoconstriction on follow-up imaging lend high certainty to the diagnosis of RCVS.

Keywords: RCVS; cannabinoid; marijuana.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cannabis* / adverse effects
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders*
  • Humans
  • Syndrome
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial* / etiology