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Published on: October 20, 2017
Recovery from multiple brain infarcts complicating basilar artery dissection
R P Gerraty1, E J Gilford, E Byrne
1Clinical Neurosciences Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy 3065, Australia.
Summary
Spontaneous basilar artery dissection can cause severe stroke but may resolve favorably. This case highlights a rare instance of near-full recovery from basilar artery dissection without specific intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neurocritical Care
Background:
- Spontaneous arterial dissection is a significant cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals.
- Basilar artery dissection (BAD) is a rare but frequently devastating condition, often associated with high morbidity and mortality.
- Prompt diagnosis and understanding of potential outcomes are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of spontaneous basilar artery dissection with a surprisingly benign clinical course.
- To review the existing literature on the outcomes of basilar artery dissection.
- To emphasize that BAD, although often fatal, can occasionally present with a favorable prognosis.
Main Methods:
- A case report of a 38-year-old woman with spontaneous basilar artery dissection.
- Diagnostic imaging included computerized tomography (CT) and selective angiography.
- Literature review of basilar artery dissection outcomes.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced bilateral occipital, right thalamic, and cerebellar infarctions, along with dorsal midbrain syndrome.
- Angiography confirmed a narrowed basilar artery segment, absent right superior cerebellar artery filling, and narrowed right posterior cerebral artery.
- The patient demonstrated rapid clinical improvement and achieved a near-full recovery without specific treatment.
Conclusions:
- Basilar artery dissection can have a benign clinical course despite initial severe neurological deficits.
- This case underscores the variability in outcomes for BAD.
- Further research into factors predicting favorable outcomes in BAD is warranted.
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