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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
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Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
Minor stroke and major vascular occlusion. A case report
A Maestroni1, C Mandelli, B Zecca
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena di Milano, Milan, Italy. alberto.maestroni@tiscali.it
Summary
Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion typically indicates severe stroke. However, this case shows mild stroke symptoms with MCA occlusion, highlighting the potential for recovery and the utility of non-invasive vascular imaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion is a major cause of severe ischemic stroke with poor prognosis.
- Mild to moderate stroke presentations with MCA occlusion are rare but have been reported, often with neurological deficit reversibility.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with mild stroke symptoms (left-side weakness, dysarthria; NIHSS score 7) that resolved within days.
- Brain CT revealed an ischemic lesion in the right internal capsule.
- Transcranial Colour Doppler demonstrated absent flow in the right MCA, confirmed by angiography showing MCA occlusion.
Findings:
- The MCA occlusion was retrogradely revascularized by leptomeningeal collaterals, explaining the neurological deficit resolution.
- Non-invasive intracranial vascular examinations successfully identified a major intracranial artery lesion in a patient with mild stroke symptoms.
- This case underscores that MCA occlusion can occur in mild stroke presentations.
Implications:
- Non-invasive vascular imaging techniques are valuable for diagnosing intracranial artery lesions in patients with mild stroke.
- Identifying such patients allows for targeted follow-up to determine optimal treatment strategies and long-term prognosis.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and outcomes of MCA occlusion in mild stroke cases.
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