Abstract 110: Autoangiogenesis Secondary to Chronic Cocaine Use Mimicking Moya‐Moya
Authors: Polineni Sai P. , Karp Adam 
Published: March 2024

Introduction

We present the case of a young male presenting with syncope who was found to have incidental hypodensities on computed tomography (CT) of his head, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) concerning for Moya‐Moya related occlusion of the right internal carotid artery, but with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showing extensive autoangiogenesis and collateralization from all other intracranial vascular territories, without Moya‐Moya related changes. This presumably developed as reactive changes to severe chronic cocaine use.

Methods

We present a case from a tertiary care center in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, USA. All information is deidentified and exempt from IRB approval.

Results

A 36‐year‐old man with history significant for asthma, active smoker status, and active cocaine use, presented for loss of consciousness. The patient reported 3 days of upper respiratory symptoms and decreased oral intake with subsequent loss of consciousness immediately preceded by lightheadedness and nausea, and without any post‐event confusion, lacerations, or incontinence. Neurologic history is significant for right upper extremity weakness from 9/2022‐12/2022 that self‐resolved and was believed to be a peripheral nerve pathology. Admission exam without focal deficits. Admission CT of his head showed multifocal confluent hypodensities in the subcortical right frontal lobe. CT Angiogram of head and neck showed severe narrowing at right Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) terminus and right M1 segment with lenticulostriate arterial collateralization, severe bilateral A1 stenosis with distal Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) flow suggestive of chronic collateralization, and significant right Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA) collateralization. Given concern for Moya‐Moya disease, MRI of the brain was obtained and despite no acute infarct, MRI was significant for multifocal white matter T2/FLAIR hyperintensities with the largest in the right frontal lobe. The patient subsequently underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to assess collaterals and stratify for possible need for future encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS). DSA showed significant auto‐angiogenesis between numerous vascular territories, including recruitment of right Posterior Cerebral Artery and External Carotid Artery branches to perfuse the territory of the severe right ICA terminus steno‐occlusive disease. With minimal anterograde flow into the right Anterior Choroidal Artery and none to the right Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA), the characteristic Moya‐Moya appearance was not appreciated on DSA given minimal anigogenesis around the right ICA occlusion site. Rather, distal perfusion of the R ICA territory was dependent on collaterals from the right PCA, right ACA via the Anterior Communicating Artery, angiogenesis between the right Anterior Falcine Artery and R ACA, and angiogenesis between the right MCA and ACA/MCA cortical branches. These proliferative changes involved all cranial vascular territories, including those without steno‐occlusive disease.

Conclusion

Acute cocaine use is associated with increased risk of acute ischemic stroke[1], due in part to its sympathomimetic effects causing vasospasm and to its arrhythmic properties[2]. Neuroadaptation after chronic cocaine use is less well understood though rat models suggest that as cerebral ischemia develops from chronic cocaine use, the HIF‐VEGF pathway is activated to promote angiogenesis to restore local blood flow[3]. We present this case as evidence of a similar angiogenic physiologic response in humans to minimize the microvascular ischemic injury from chronic cocaine use.