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Updated: May 27, 2026

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
Published on: June 18, 2021
Transient locked-in syndrome and basilar artery vasospasm
G Lacroix1, D Couret, X Combaz
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Sainte Anne Teaching Military Hospital, Toulon, France.
Background:
Cerebral vasospasm is the main cause of neurological mortality and morbidity following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Basilar artery vasospasm (BAVS) is associated with a high morbidity and may have multiple clinical presentations.
Methods:
We report the case of a 43 years-old man with BAVS presenting as a reversible locked-in syndrome (LIS) after stopping sedation.
Results:
The symptoms were successfully managed by intra-arterial infusion of vasodilators and balloon angioplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal any brainstem lesion 48 h after the complication, demonstrating a hemodynamic mechanism.
Conclusion:
LIS can reveal BAVS. Its diagnosis relies on clinical examination. In this case, rapid neuro-interventional treatment permitted reversal of symptoms. This could not have been possible under sedation.
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