Reversed flow in the basilar artery in acute vertebrobasilar ischemia

Abstract

Acute vertebrobasilar ischemia is a potentially sinister pathology with high mortality and poor functional outcome in survivors. We report the findings of multi-modal assessment (MRI and cerebrovascular ultrasonography) of cerebral hemodynamics in a patient who suffered from acute brainstem infarction with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 16 points. Our patient demonstrated reversal of blood flow in the basilar artery on the second day of his stroke and this was associated with significant and rapid clinical recovery over the following 2 days (NIHSS score dropped to 4 points). He had recovered completely when seen in the outpatient clinic 3 months later. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.