A Case of Possible Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Presenting with Diffuse Cerebellar Hemosiderosis

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is caused by deposition of beta-amyloid protein on the walls of cortical, subcortical and leptomeningeal arteries and it is one of the causes of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. The beta-amyloid protein deposits can be found in the cerebellum as well as the cerebrum. Cerebellar hematomas do not exclude the diagnosis of CAA. Definitive diagnosis of CAA is established by pathological examination at autopsy, however its diagnosis may be suggested by subarachnoid or superficial cortical hemosiderosis in blood sensitive MRI sequences. This case with an intense cerebellar hemosiderosis typical for superficial siderosis (SS) of the central nervous system is reported as a rare example of CAA as the underlying cause.