An unusual case of posterior circulation stroke

Abstract

Anterior circulation strokes are far more common than posterior circulation strokes. Approximately 80–85% of all strokes are ischemic, and 20% of lesions occur in the vertebrobasilar territory. Most common cause of lateral medullary syndrome is vertebral artery occlusion. Although vertebral artery also supplies the spinal cord, involvement of the spinal cord in a case of lateral medullary syndrome has not been reported before. Pyramidal tract involvement in lateral medullary syndrome can occur due to medial extension of infarct in the medulla or caudal extension into the spinal cord. Here, we report an interesting case of lateral medullary syndrome caused by vertebral artery occlusion with cervical cord infarct presenting as quadriparesis.

Keywords

• Acute quadriparesis
• lateral medullary syndrome
• vertebral artery occlusion