What happens when the basilar artery is blocked?
Most commonly, patients experiencing basilar artery occlusion exhibit acute neurologic signs including motor deficits, hemiparesis or quadriparesis, and facial palsies, dizziness, headache, and speech abnormalities–especially dysarthria and difficulty articulating words.
What causes blockage in basilar artery?
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a condition characterized by poor blood flow to the posterior (back) portion of the brain, which is fed by two vertebral arteries that join to become the basilar artery. Blockage of these arteries occurs over time through a process called atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque.
Is a basilar artery occlusion a stroke?
Basilar artery occlusions (BAOs) are a subset of posterior circulation strokes. Particular issues relevant to BAOs include variable and stuttering symptoms at onset resulting in delays in diagnosis, high morbidity and mortality, and uncertain best management.
What are the branches of basilar artery?
The branches of the basilar artery can be divided into paramedian arteries, short circumferential arteries, and long circumferential arteries. The paramedian vessels are four to six in number, and they penetrate into the pontine parenchyma to supply the medial basal pons.
How is basilar artery occlusion treated?
Recanalization of the basilar artery is key to the successful treatment of basilar artery thrombosis and to improving its prognosis.
What are the symptoms of a basilar artery stroke?
Basilar Artery Stroke Symptoms
- Severe headache (without a cause)
- Numbness or weakness in the leg, arm, or face.
- Dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking.
- Double vision or loss of vision.
- Loss of coordination.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Trouble breathing.
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
How common is basilar artery occlusion?
Basilar artery occlusion is rare, accounting for approximately 1% of strokes. Symptoms range from paresthesia and oculomotor symptoms to locked-in syndrome. Intervention can lead to complete neurological recovery despite the severity of initial deficits.
Which branch of basilar artery is an end artery?
The basilar artery is a relatively large, robust blood vessel located in the posterior cranial fossa. It is the main blood vessel that forms the posterior circulation of the brain….Basilar artery.
| Origin | Union of the vertebral arteries at the pontomedullary junction |
|---|---|
| Termination | Bifurcates into the paired posterior cerebral arteries |
Where is the basilar artery in the brain?
The basilar artery is part of the blood supply system for the brain and central nervous system. It is formed where the two vertebral arteries join at the base of the skull. The basilar artery carries oxygenated blood to the cerebellum, brainstem, and occipital lobes.
How common is basilar artery 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.
Can you recover from basilar artery 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].
How many branches of basilar artery are there?
Along its course, the basilar artery gives off five major branches.