Supratentorial Lymphocytic Inflammation with Parenchymal Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids (SLIPPERS)—Does it Really Exist?

Supratentorial Lymphocytic Inflammation with Parenchymal Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids (SLIPPERS) is a rare variant of the CLIPPERS spectrum with less than ten reports published so far. There is ongoing discussion regarding whether SLIPPERS is a disease entity on its own or just an...

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Main Authors: Fernando Freua, João Vitor Mahler, Pedro Lucas Grangeiro de Sá Barreto Lima, Iuri Santana Neville, Leonardo Barreira Portella, Victor Hugo Rocha Marussi, Carmen Lucia Penteado Lancellotti, Paulo Ribeiro Nobrega, Guilherme Diogo Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Brain Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/8/1191
Description
Summary:Supratentorial Lymphocytic Inflammation with Parenchymal Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids (SLIPPERS) is a rare variant of the CLIPPERS spectrum with less than ten reports published so far. There is ongoing discussion regarding whether SLIPPERS is a disease entity on its own or just an acronym encompassing many underlying diagnoses, such as sarcoidosis, vasculitis and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-associated disease. A 40-year-old woman presented with episodes of language and attention impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions in the subcortical white matter associated with a micronodular, curvilinear perivascular contrast-enhancement. Alternative diagnoses were excluded. There was a remarkable response to steroids. A relapse occurred after six years, and the biopsy showed perivascular T-cell lymphocytic infiltrate, without granulomas, vasculitis, or neoplasia. There was complete resolution of the relapse after steroids. This case represents the longest reported follow-up of a patient diagnosed with SLIPPERS, and brain biopsy after 6 years did not suggest alternative diagnoses. This report contributes to the discussion regarding the possibility that exclusive supratentorial CLIPPERS-like pathology might be an isolated disease entity, but more biopsy-proven cases with a longer follow-up are needed to support this hypothesis. Recently, GFAP astrocytopathy has been characterized and might correspond to a significant number of cases previously diagnosed as CLIPPERS or SLIPPERS.
ISSN:2076-3425