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Case Reports
. 2023 Jun 27;18(9):3157-3161.
doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.015. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Artery of Percheron infarction presented with isolated downgaze paralysis: A case report

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Case Reports

Artery of Percheron infarction presented with isolated downgaze paralysis: A case report

Mohamed Hamid et al. Radiol Case Rep. .

Abstract

Isolated downgaze paralysis is the most infrequent expression of vertical gaze abnormalities. Vertical eye movements are controlled by nuclei and circuits located in the thalamic-mesencephalon region, and more particularly the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF). The Artery of Percheron (AP) is a rare vascular anatomic variation that supplies the paramedian region of the thalami and the rostral portion of the mesencephalon. We present a unique case of isolated downgaze paralysis caused by AP ischemia.

Keywords: Artery of Percheron; Downgaze paralysis; Midbrain; Stroke; Thalamus.

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Figures

Fig1
Fig.1
Extraocular eye movements in all cardinal points. Note the downgaze paralysis.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Cranial MRI on axial DWI (A) and FLAIR (B) sequences demonstrated high signal intensity on bilateral paramedian thalami (arrows).
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Cerebral MRI on coronal T2 (A) and axial FLAIR (B) sequences showed hyperintensity on the rostral midbrain (arrows).
Fig 4
Fig. 4
MRA demonstrated an abnormal small vessel emerging from the P1 segment of the right PCA (arrow).
Fig 5
Fig. 5
MRI control on axial FLAIR sequence (A) showed lacunar infarct of bilateral paramedian thalami (arrows). Sagittal T1 sequence (B) found low signal intensity in the rostral mesencephalon (arrow).

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