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Basilar artery dolichoectasia in childhood: evidence of vascular compromise
Katharine M Forrest1, Ata Siddiqui, Ming Lim
1Department of Paediatric Neurology, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Insights
Basilar dolichoectasia (BD), a rare arterial condition, can affect infants and lead to brainstem ischemia. This study highlights childhood BD as a potential congenital susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Dolichoectasia involves arterial elongation, dilatation, and tortuosity.
- Basilar dolichoectasia (BD) in adults typically presents as ischemic stroke.
- Congenital susceptibility is implied in rare childhood cases of BD.
Observation:
- Two infant cases of basilar dolichoectasia (BD) are presented.
- Both cases were complicated by brainstem ischemia.
Findings:
- This report details the first description of childhood BD associated with ischemic infarction.
- The findings contribute to understanding this rare arteriopathy in pediatric populations.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering BD in infants with neurological deficits.
- Suggests a potential congenital origin for BD in children.
- Underscores the need for further research into pediatric vascular anomalies.
Introduction:
Dolichoectasia describes the elongation, dilatation and tortuosity of an arterial vessel. In adults, clinical presentation of basilar dolichoectasia (BD) is most often with ischaemic stroke. True BD has been very rarely reported in childhood, but the implication is of a congenital susceptibility.
Case Report:
We describe two cases of infants with BD complicated by brainstem ischaemia.
Discussion:
This first description of childhood BD associated with ischaemic infarction adds to the understanding of this rarely reported arteriopathy.
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