[Isolated dissection of the posterior cerebral artery]

Abstract

Two cases of isolated dissection of the posterior cerebral artery responsible for ischemic stroke are reported. Nine probable or certain additional cases were found in the literature. Most patients were female. The clinical presentation consisted of ischemic symptoms in 6 patients, subarachnoid hemorrhage in 4, and both symptoms in 1. Headache was present in almost all patients. The most prevalent angiographic picture was an eccentric stenosis followed by fusiform dilatation of the P1-P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery. A double-lumen sign was observed in 3 cases. A favorable outcome was usual in cases with ischemic symptoms. Potential benefits from anticoagulants (in case of ischemic symptoms) or surgery (in case of subarachnoid hemorrhage) are unknown.