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Post traumatic extracranial vertebral artery dissection with locked-in syndrome: a case with MRI documentation and

A D Rae-Grant1, F Lin, B A Yaeger

  • 1Division of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown, PA.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

A patient experienced vertebral artery dissection after head trauma, leading to a pontine infarction. Despite the severity, the patient showed a surprisingly good recovery, highlighted by MRI findings.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a significant cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals.
  • Minor head trauma can precipitate VAD, leading to potentially devastating neurological deficits.
  • Pontine infarction, a type of ischemic stroke affecting the pons, often results in severe neurological impairment.

Observation:

  • A case report detailing a patient who developed a right vertebral artery dissection following minor head trauma.
  • The dissection subsequently led to a massive pontine infarction, indicating a severe neurological event.
  • The patient's clinical course and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings were documented.

Findings:

  • The patient presented with symptoms consistent with a pontine infarction secondary to vertebral artery dissection.
  • Despite the extensive infarction, the patient exhibited an unusually favorable outcome, defying typical prognostic expectations.
  • Advanced MRI techniques provided detailed insights into the vascular pathology and infarct evolution.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for severe neurological events from seemingly minor head trauma.
  • The favorable outcome suggests that certain factors may mitigate the effects of large pontine infarcts.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of recovery in such cases could inform therapeutic strategies for stroke patients.

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