Unusual presentation of basilar artery thrombosis

Abstract

Strokes in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) may rarely cause acute confusion or delirium, especially when bilateral or the dominant PCA are involved. Delirium as the only initial presentation of basilar artery thrombosis (with no brainstem or long tract findings) is an extremely rare occurrence. In this article, the clinical presentation of our case was an acute confusion with septic shock-like features (tachycardia, hypotension, and leukocytosis) for a few days without any focal deficit. These symptoms pointed more toward a non-focal neurological cause, especially meningoencephalitis. This case highlights the importance of detailed history and thorough evaluation of high-risk patients who present with an acute devastating neurological syndrome. In addition, knowledge of the atypical presentation of stroke should be acquired, and the limitation of an unenhanced computed tomography scan of the brain without vascular imaging should be known. Investigating patients with a sudden acute confusion should be directed toward the evaluation of the etiology in a stepwise manner. However, the pace of investigations should be fast to establish the diagnosis and optimize the outcome.

Keywords: Basilar artery; Delirium; Stroke; Thrombosis.

Fig. 1.

CT scan of the brain showing bilateral cerebellar, occipital, cortical, and subcortical hypo-attenuation more evident at the left side associated with unilateral left-sided thalamic area of hypoattenuation suggesting acute ischemic insult/infarction secondary to vertebrobasilar system occlusion. Non-visualized basilar artery as well as its branches with patent anterior circulation denoting vertebrobasilar total occlusion at the time of the scan. CT, computerized tomography.