149 Emergency Clot Retrieval and Stenting for Posterior Circulation Stroke

Abstract

The current literature regarding the morphology and presentations of strokes due to basilar artery stenosis/occlusion is limited. This pathology is a rare cause of stroke and its management is not clearly decided in guidelines or published literature. Moreover, posterior circulation strokes are reported to be more devastating than anterior circulation. We present a case of a 68-year-old male who presented in an acute setting with reduced consciousness, myoclonic jerks, weakness and nausea due to a stroke from an occluded mid-segment basilar artery. MRI showed evidence of left cerebellar and right occipital infarcts. Emergent cerebral angiography was performed, and he was immediately treated by thrombectomy and stenting (Stryker Wingspan stent). The patient made a full recovery within one week and remained well at follow-up 3 months post-procedure. Emergency recanalization of basilar artery strokes, by clot retrieval and stenting, should be considered as a treatment option.