Basilar artery fenestration and ischemic stroke: An unclear causal relationship

Basilar artery fenestration is the second most commonly observed fenestration of the cerebral arteries. In addition to our case, we reviewed the clinical, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis of 9 other reported cases. Patients' mean age was 45.1 years. Half of them had cardiovascular risk factors. Mean time to diagnosis was 9.4 days. The main symptoms were right hemiparesis and dysarthria. Basilar artery fenestration was found in all patients, as well as ours, in addition to a thrombus, found in 2 cases. One patient was treated by IV thrombolysis and thrombectomy. In other cases, antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants were used. A favorable outcome was observed in most cases with one reported death.