Predictors of unfavorable outcome at 90 days in basilar artery occlusion patients

BACKGROUND In a previous study,basilar artery occlusion(BAO)was shown to lead to death or disability in 80%of the patients.The treatment for BAO patients in the acute stage includes thrombolysis and intra-arterial thrombectomy,but not all patients benefit from these treatments.Thus,understanding the predictors of outcome before initiating these treatments is of special interest.AIM To determine the predictors related to the 90-d clinical outcome in patients with BAO in an Asian population.METHODS We performed a retrospective case review of patients admitted to a tertiary stroke center between 2015 and 2019.We used the international classification of diseases-10 criteria to identify cases of posterior circulation stroke.A neurologist reviewed every case,and patients fulfilling the criteria defined in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study were included.We then analyzed the patients’characteristics and factors related to the 90-d outcome.RESULTS We identified a total of 99 patients as real BAO cases.Of these patients,33(33.3%)had a favorable outcome at 90 d(modified Rankin Scale:0–3).Moreover,72 patients received intra-arterial thrombectomy,while 13 patients received intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment.We observed a favorable outcome in 33.3%of the cases and an unfavorable outcome in 66.7%of the cases.We found that the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score and several BAO symptoms,including impaired consciousness,tetraparesis,and pupillary abnormalities,were significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome(P<0.05),while cerebellar symptoms were associated with a favorable outcome(P<0.05).In the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis,the areas under the ROC curve of initial NIHSS score,impaired consciousness,tetraparesis,cerebellar symptoms,and pupillary abnormalities were 0.836,0.644,0.727,0.614,and 0.614,respectively.Initial NIHSS score showed a higher AUROC(0.836)compared to BAO symptoms.CONCLUSION The most important predictor of an unfavorable outcome was the initial NIHSS score.BAO symptoms,including tetraparesis,impaired consciousness,and pupillary abnormality were also related to an unfavorable outcome.

Convulsive-like movements as the first symptom of basilar artery occlusive brainstem infarction:A case report

BACKGROUND Convulsive-like movements are rare in basilar artery occlusive cerebral infarction(BAOCI).These manifestations may easily be mistaken for epileptic seizures caused by compromised anterior circulation or by cortical lesions.Delayed diagnosis of this condition affects its subsequent treatment and prognosis.Therefore,it is critical to recognize this type of phenomenon in the early stage.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old male patient presented with unconsciousness,rigidity,and a paroxysmal twitch in both lower limbs.These conditions lasted for nearly 2 h and resembled status epilepticus.After the initial conditions subsided,hemiplegia occurred and then subsided rapidly.The family refused thrombolytic therapy because the symptoms were similar to Todd paralysis after epilepsy.However,magnetic resonance imaging showed left pontine infarction.No abnormality was observed in a video electroencephalogram during the interictal period.Digital subtraction angiography revealed that the basilar artery was occluded and that the posterior communicating arteries were patent.Fortunately,the patient received a good prognosis after antiplatelet therapy,lipid regulation,balloon dilatation of the basilar artery,and rehabilitation.CONCLUSION Convulsive-like movements may be an early sign of basilar artery occlusive brainstem infarction.It is important to identify this phenomenon in a timely manner.