{"id":"3df66d9e-162d-4b44-9798-8b1923fb1e78","slug":"medicolegal-aspects-of-iatrogenic-cerebral-amyloid-angiopathy","title":"Medicolegal aspects of iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy","authors":["Ulf Jensen-Kondering"],"abstract":"Background: Iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (iCAA) is believed to result from the inoculation of amyloid fibrils, primarily associated with the use of lyophilized cadaveric dura mater in neurosurgery. Unlike iatrogenic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (iCJD), which has a short latency period, iCAA can manifest approximately 30–40 years post-surgery. The prevalence of iCAA in patients under 50 years old is estimated to be around 45%. Summary: This letter discusses the medicolegal implications of iCAA, particularly regarding product liability and the challenges in proving negligence related to cadaveric dura mater products. While preparation and sterilization processes were adhered to, the inability to inactivate prions poses significant legal and ethical questions. The potential for liability claims and financial compensation remains uncertain due to the long latency period associated with iCAA. Conclusion: The emergence of iCAA as a second disease linked to cadaveric dura mater products raises complex medicolegal issues that may necessitate court intervention for liability claims. The legal frameworks in various countries differ, and the burden of proof may shift to producers in cases of presumed negligence. Further exploration of these legal aspects is warranted to better understand the implications for affected patients and healthcare systems. Keywords: iatrogenic, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, medicolegal, product liability, cadaveric dura mater, neurosurgery, prions, ethical considerations","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/neurovascular.png","publishDate":"2026-03-13T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_151_2026","categories":["Neurovascular","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/3df66d9e-162d-4b44-9798-8b1923fb1e78/pdf"}