Basilar Artery Occlusion

OVERVIEW

• the clinical effects will be dependent on: adequacy of collaterals, integrity of the Circle of Willis and the onset of the occlusion
• occlusion at the bifurcation will involve the posterior cerebral artery +/- the superior cerebella artery
• parts of brain effected: occipital cortex, thalamus, cerebellum medial temporal lobe and upper mid-brain.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Basilar artery occlusion at the bifurcation:

• cortical blindness
• impaired short term memory
• pupillary abnormalities
• gaze palsies
• thalamic pain syndromes
• there should not be bulbar dysfunction (unless there is propagation of the occlusion)