How is basilar stroke diagnosed?

How is basilar stroke diagnosed?

To confirm stroke diagnosis, your doctor will perform a set of tests that could include:

1. Computed tomography (CT) scan.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
3. Computed tomography angiogram (CTA)
4. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

What is CVA thrombosis of basilar artery?

Basilar artery thrombosis is a devastating form of stroke with high morbidity and mortality. Its initial presentation is often extremely nonspecific and may include dizziness or blurring of vision.

What causes basilar artery thrombosis?

The risk factors for basilar artery thrombosis are the same as those seen generally in stroke. The most common risk factor is hypertension, which is found in as many as 70% of cases. It is followed by diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cigarette smoking, and hyperlipidemia.

How is basilar artery occlusion treated?

For patients with atherosclerotic stenosis who survive basilar artery occlusion, the estimated annual risk of recurrent stroke is 20%. Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and the combination aspirin/dipyridamole (Aggrenox) can be used for stroke prophylaxis.

What causes a basilar stroke?

Most basilar artery strokes are caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The second-leading cause is clots. Leading risk factors for basilar artery strokes are high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

Can you recover from basilar stroke?

Patients can experience a near-complete recovery if treatment is provided promptly. However, the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis in the emergency department is often significantly delayed in basilar artery occlusion, with one study reporting an average total delay of 16 hours and eight minutes [2].

Can you recover from basilar artery stroke?

Is basilar artery occlusion a stroke?

Abstract. Background and Purpose— Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is an infrequent form of acute stroke, which invariably leads to death or long-term disability if not recanalized.

What does the basilar artery do?

Abstract. The basilar artery (BA) serves as the main conduit for blood flow through the posterior circulation. It directly supplies the brainstem and cerebellum and provides distal blood flow to the thalami and medial temporal and parietal lobes.

Can you recover from a basilar artery stroke?

How common is basilar stroke?

Although the exact incidence of basilar artery occlusion remains unknown, it is estimated to account for 1% of all ischemic strokes. [11] Data from the center, including 129 patients with an LVO, showed that the estimated incidence was four persons per 100000/year.

What are the signs and symptoms of acute occlusion of the basilar?

Patients with acute occlusion of the basilar artery will present with sudden and dramatic neurological impairment, the exact characteristics of which will depend on the site of occlusion: Acute occlusion of the basilar artery can be due to either thromboembolism, atherosclerosis or propagation of intracranial dissection.

What happens if the basilar artery is blocked?

Acute occlusion of the basilar artery may cause brainstem or thalamic ischemia or infarction. It is a true neuro-interventional emergency and, if not treated early, brainstem infarction results in rapid deterioration in the level of consciousness and ultimately death.

What is the prognosis of basilar artery occlusion?

Acute occlusion of the basilar artery is a life threatening event, which carries a terrible prognosis: ~ 90% mortality depending on the location, and high morbidity in the survivors 3. Treatment usually involves catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis and intravenous heparin, which carries a risk of hemorrhage of up to 15%.