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Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
Bilateral posterior cerebral artery infarction.
Davinia Ryan1, Sinead M Murphy, Michael J Hennessey
1Medicine for the Elderly, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. daviniaryan@hotmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|July 17, 2012
Summary
Bilateral posterior cerebral artery infarction caused persistent memory loss and vision deficits in a 70-year-old man. Unlike typical cases, his neurological symptoms did not resolve after two months.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory infarction can lead to diverse neurological deficits.
- Bilateral PCA infarctions are rare and can present with complex symptoms.
- The prognosis and symptom resolution in bilateral PCA infarction are not fully understood.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old male presented with acute short-term memory impairment.
- He also exhibited a left inferior homonymous quadrantanopia.
- These symptoms were attributed to simultaneous bilateral PCA territory infarction.
Findings:
- No specific etiological cause for the infarction was identified in this patient.
- In contrast to some reported cases of unilateral PCA infarction with transient symptoms, this patient's deficits were persistent.
- Neurological deficits remained evident at the 2-month follow-up assessment.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for persistent neurological deficits following bilateral PCA infarction, even without an identifiable cause.
- It underscores the importance of thorough neurovascular evaluation and long-term monitoring in patients with PCA territory strokes.
- Further research into the mechanisms underlying persistent deficits in bilateral PCA infarction may inform therapeutic strategies.
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