Artery of Percheron Stroke

Artery of Percheron Infarct: A Rare Case Presentation and Recovery

The artery of Percheron (AOP) is a congenital anatomical irregularity of the cerebrovasculature responsible for perfusing the thalamus and midbrain. These defects account for a small percent of all ischemic strokes and present with widely variable symptomatology, ranging from confusion to coma. We present a case of an acute AOP infarct and recovery in a 68-year-old male with atrial fibrillation without anticoagulation. It is our hope that this case report serves to alert diagnosticians to the presence of AOP infarcts, the wide clinical presentation, and the prognosis of this rare and critical type of ischemic stroke.

Artery of Percheron Infarction: A Rare But Important Cause of Bilateral Thalamic Stroke

Artery of Percheron infarction is a serious but rare condition that can result in acute bilateral thalamic infarction and a wide range of neurological symptoms. It occurs due to occlusion of the single arterial branch that supplies the medial thalamus and rostral midbrain bilaterally. In this case report, we describe a 58-year-old female with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia who presented with sudden confusion, speech difficulties, and right-sided weakness. An initial CT scan showed ill-defined hypodensity in the left internal capsule, which, when combined with the clinical features, suggested acute ischemic stroke. The patient received an IV tissue plasminogen activator within the recommended time window. Several days later, repeated imaging showed bilateral thalamic hypodensity consistent with subacute infarction in the territory of the artery of Percheron. The patient was subsequently discharged to a rehabilitation facility for further recovery and rehabilitation with residual mild hemiparesis. It is important for healthcare providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for the artery of Percheron infarction and be aware of its potential to cause acute bilateral thalamic infarction and a variety of neurological symptoms.

Endovascular treatment for isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke in the MR CLEAN registry

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment (EVT) is standard of care in anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. In posterior circulation occlusions, data on EVT in isolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions are limited, although PCA occlusions can cause severe neurological deficit.

OBJECTIVE

To describe in a prospective study the clinical manifestations, outcomes, and safety of EVT in isolated PCA occlusions.

METHODS

We used data (2014-2017) from the MR CLEAN Registry, a nationwide, prospective cohort of EVT-treated patients in the Netherlands. We included patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to an isolated PCA occlusion on CT angiography. Patients with concurrent occlusion of the basilar artery were excluded. Outcomes included change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (ΔNIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-3 after 90 days, mortality, expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI), and periprocedural complications.

RESULTS

Twenty (12%) of 162 patients with posterior circulation occlusions had an isolated PCA occlusion. Median age was 72 years; 13 (65%) were women. Median baseline NIHSS score was 13 (IQR 5-21). Six (30%) patients were comatose. Twelve patients (60%) received IVT. Median ΔNIHSS was -4 (IQR -11-+1). At follow-up, nine patients (45%) had mRS score 0-3. Seven (35%) died. eTICI 2b-3 was achieved in 13 patients (65%). Nine patients (45%) had periprocedural complications. No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

EVT should be considered in selected patients with AIS with an isolated PCA occlusion, presenting with moderate-severe neurological deficits, as EVT was technically feasible in most of our patients and about half had good clinical outcome. In case of lower NIHSS score, a more conservative approach seems warranted, since periprocedural complications are not uncommon. Nonetheless, EVT seems reasonably safe considering the absence of sICH in our study.

Intravenous thrombolytic therapy for cerebral infarction due to the Persheron artery occlusion. Case report

Occlusion of the artery of Percheron is the cause of bilateral thalamic infarctions, sometimes involving structures of the midbrain. A clinical case of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke due to the occlusion of the Percheron artery in a 72-year-old female patient who developed depression of consciousness, oculomotor disorders, dysarthria, ataxia, pyramidal disorders, and cognitive disorders is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging, which detected bilateral thalamus paramedian infarction in the acute stage, made it possible to diagnose the occlusion of the Percheron artery. Intravenous thrombolysis led to a rapid regression of symptoms; at the end of the acute period of the disease, the patient was discharged from the hospital with a slight neurological deficit and with a good functional outcome. After a one year the dynamic observation revealed persistent mild cognitive disorders; magnetic resonance imaging showed small symmetric cystic-gliosis changes in the medial parts of the thalamus on both sides. Timely diagnosis and intravenous thrombolytic therapy contribute to a good outcome of cerebral infarction due to the Percheron's artery occlusion.

Artery of Percheron infarction results in severe bradycardia: A case report

Background:

The thalamus is normally supplied by each posterior cerebral artery (PCA). The artery of percheron is a variant of this anatomy as it arises as a single trunk unilaterally from the PCA to supply the thalamus bilaterally. Occlusion of this artery is rare, and the diagnosis is usually missed without obtaining an MRI.

Case Description:

We illustrate the case of a 68-year-old male who presented with coma, ocular gaze palsy, and severe bradycardia from bilateral thalamic nuclei and midbrain infarction, as described as an artery of Percheron infarction. The patient recovered neurologically under conservative treatment with a residual vertical diplopia from downward gaze palsy. He underwent cardiac pacer implantation for severe bradycardia at the end of his admission. The thalamic pathway associated with cardiac rhythm, especially the zona inserta, is discussed. Publications related to the artery of Percheron are reviewed.

Conclusion:

Coma and ocular gaze palsy are the most common presentations following thalamic and midbrain ischemia from artery of Percheron infarction. To our knowledge, only a single case of artery of Percheron infarction with severe bradycardia has been reported in the past. Our case attested the role of thalamic nuclei controlling cardiac rhythm.