Cerebral Vasculitis

Overview

Cerebral vasculitis is a rare but serious neurological condition involving inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord. It can disrupt blood flow, damage brain tissue, and lead to strokes, seizures, or progressive neurological decline.

At The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we offer specialist inpatient neurorehabilitation for adults recovering from cerebral vasculitis and its complications. Our multidisciplinary approach focuses on restoring function, independence, and quality of life.

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What Is Cerebral Vasculitis?

Cerebral vasculitis (also called central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis) occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the small and medium blood vessels in the brain. This inflammation narrows or blocks the vessels, leading to reduced oxygen supply and, in some cases, brain tissue damage.

It may occur:

• On its own (primary CNS vasculitis)
• As part of a broader autoimmune condition (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome)
• As a result of infection, cancer, or certain medications

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Symptoms of Cerebral Vasculitis

Symptoms can develop suddenly or progress over time, depending on which areas of the brain are affected.

Neurological Symptoms

• Headaches (persistent or severe)
• Confusion or cognitive decline
• Memory loss or poor concentration
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness in limbs
• Difficulty speaking or understanding language
• Vision problems or double vision
• Coordination or balance issues

Emotional and Behavioural Changes

• Mood swings
• Depression or anxiety
• Apathy or withdrawal
• Personality changes

In some cases, cerebral vasculitis can lead to stroke, transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) or brain haemorrhage.

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cerebral vasculitis can be challenging due to its rarity and similarity to other neurological conditions. Tests may include:

• MRI or CT brain scans
• Cerebral angiography to examine blood vessels
• Lumbar puncture (spinal fluid analysis)
• Blood tests for autoimmune markers
• Brain biopsy (in rare cases)

Once inflammation is identified and stabilised—often using steroids or immunosuppressive therapy—rehabilitation becomes key to managing residual symptoms.

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Rehabilitation at The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

We provide consultant-led, multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation for individuals with cerebral vasculitis. Our goal is to help patients regain independence, rebuild confidence, and adapt to long-term changes in function.

Our rehabilitation services include:

Physiotherapy

• Strength and mobility rehabilitation
• Gait and balance retraining
• Post-stroke and coordination therapy
• Fatigue management

Occupational Therapy

• Cognitive rehabilitation (attention, memory, executive function)
• Support for daily living tasks (dressing, cooking, managing routines)
• Assistive equipment advice
• Return-to-work planning (where appropriate)

Neuropsychology

• Emotional and behavioural support
• Therapy for anxiety, low mood or adjustment
• Cognitive testing and compensatory strategies
• Family education and coping support

Speech and Language Therapy

• Communication and speech rehabilitation
• Cognitive-communication strategies
• Swallowing assessment (if required)

Specialist Nursing

• Neurological care and medication monitoring
• Nutrition, hydration, and continence support
• Monitoring for signs of relapse or complications

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Who We Help

We support adults (18+) who:

• Are recovering from cerebral vasculitis or related stroke
• Are medically stable but need support with function and cognition
• Require coordinated, multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation
• Experience lasting physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments

Call 01296 678800 or enquire online to speak with our admissions team.

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Why Choose The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital?

• Decades of experience in neurorehabilitation for rare neurological conditions
• Consultant-led care with input from physiotherapy, OT, psychology and speech therapy
• Inpatient therapy programmes up to 7 days a week
• Calm, private setting tailored for brain injury recovery
• Support for families and tailored discharge planning