Decoding Altered Consciousness: An Artery of Percheron Stroke.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Neurology
• Neuroanatomy

Background:

• The artery of Percheron (AOP) is an anatomical variant supplying critical brain regions.
• Understanding AOP variations is crucial for diagnosing specific stroke patterns.
• Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) P1 branch variations impact thalamic and midbrain perfusion.

Observation:

• A case study of an 89-year-old female with an artery of Percheron infarction is presented.
• The patient exhibited symptoms consistent with bilateral paramedian thalamic and/or rostral midbrain ischemia.
• Imaging confirmed an infarction pattern attributable to the AOP.

Findings:

• AOP infarction can lead to distinct clinical presentations based on the affected territories.
• Four primary infarction patterns associated with AOP stroke have been previously described.
• This specific infarction involved the bilateral paramedian thalami.

Implications:

• Accurate identification of AOP strokes is essential for appropriate patient management.
• Understanding the AOP's vascular supply aids in predicting stroke outcomes.
• This case contributes to the literature on rare cerebrovascular variants and their clinical significance.