Thalamic Ischemic Stroke as a Result of the Occlusion of the Artery of Persheron

Abstract

The artery of Percheron originates from the right or left posterior cerebral artery and is one of the options for normal blood supply to the paramedian portions of the thalamus. Stroke in this area has specific MRI changes, the most informative ones in diffusion-weighted imaging mode. With the involvement of the midbrain, its pial surface can display an additional pathognomonic V-shaped sign in 67%. The clinical manifestations are non-specific. In some cases, there is a triad of symptoms, which is distinguished into paramedian thalamic syndrome (vertical gaze palsy, neuropsychological disorders, and depressed level of consciousness up to coma). The symptoms of a midbrain lesion as oculomotor nerve group diseases, contralateral hemiparesis, hemiataxia or hemianesthesia, in combination with a triad, develop a thalamopeduncular or mesencephalon thalamic syndrome. The paper presents a clinical case of a 59-year-old man who was hospitalized with acute unconsciousness, a Glasgow coma scale of 13 scores, and disorientation. A neurological examination revealed vertical gaze palsy and upper limb ataxia. Brain MRI revealed characteristic bithalamic paramedian stroke. After completing the treatment, the patient was discharged showing incomplete clinical recovery.

Keywords

• thalamus
• thalamic stroke
• artery of percheron
• blood supply