Clinical and imaging characteristics of Percheron artery infarction with unilateral embryonic posterior cerebral artery / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Percheron artery is an uncommon anatomic variant. Percheron artery infarction with unilateral embryonic posterior cerebral artery ( PCA ) was rarely reported.The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and imaging patterns of Percheron artery infarction with the unilateral embryonic PCA for early diagnosis and treatment.MethodsClinical and imaging data of 2 patients with Percheron artery infarction were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsTwo patients presented acute coma and one had paroxysmal blurred before coma.On neurological examinations,one patient had vertical gaze palsy besides two were unconsciousness. MRI showed symmetrical high signal intensity on diffusion weighed imaging (DWI)in bilateral paramedian thalami in two patients and a distinct pattern of V-shaped hyperintensity on DWI andFLAIR was present on the midbrain in one patient. Digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated unilateral embryonic PCA in two patients.ConclusionsThe classical clinical symptoms,symmetrical high signal in bilateral paramedian thalami and V-shaped sign in midbrain on DWI can improve recognition,evaluation and management of Percheron artery infarction.The unilateral embryonic PCA may be underlying risk factor of Percheron artery infarction.