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Basilar Artery Thrombosis in the Postpartum Period During COVID - 19 Pandemic: A Lethal But Avoidable Complication
Manbir Kaur1, Ankur Sharma2, Sanjiv Sharma3
1Department of Anesthesia and Critical care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Insights
Delayed diagnosis of basilar artery occlusion in postpartum women, especially during COVID-19, leads to poor outcomes. Early MRI is crucial for identifying this rare but fatal condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Postpartum basilar artery occlusion is a rare but life-threatening condition.
- The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated diagnostic delays due to altered clinical presentations and healthcare access.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old female presented with occipital headache post-cesarean section, progressing to seizure and unconsciousness.
- Basilar artery thrombosis was diagnosed posthumously, highlighting a critical delay in recognition.
Findings:
- The case underscores the challenges in diagnosing basilar artery occlusion in the postpartum period.
- Delayed diagnosis significantly contributed to the fatal outcome.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for basilar artery occlusion in postpartum women presenting with headache or neck discomfort, even without typical risk factors.
- Prompt non-invasive radiological imaging, such as MRI, is essential for early diagnosis and intervention to improve outcomes.
Purpose:
To highlight the factors leading to the delayed diagnosis of basilar artery occlusion and poor outcome in the postpartum period during the prevailing Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Case Report:
We here report a case of a 34-year female who presented with a headache localized to the occipital region after cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Her headache severity increased over time, and she developed a generalized seizure episode and became unconscious. Subsequently, basilar artery thrombosis was diagnosed. Despite all efforts, she succumbed to death. We believe that we might have saved the patient's life if we could have made the diagnosis beforehand.
Conclusion:
We recommend that unless shown otherwise, postpartum headache and neck discomfort, even in individuals with no known risk factors, should have a low index of suspicion, early diagnosis using non-invasive radiological study such MRI to rule out this uncommon but deadly illness quickly.
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