Clinical analysis of three cases of Percheron artery infarction

Abstract

The clinical features, imaging, treatment and prognosis of 3 cases of Percheron artery infarction were analyzed retrospectively. Risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases existed in all patients. They presented acute onset, with varying degrees of disturbance of consciousness, lags in response, dysgnosia and mental changes, but without movement disorders. Two cases also presented eye movement disorders. Brain MRI showed symmetrical long T₁ and long T₂ signal in bilateral thalami and midbrain. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) showed hyperintensity, and FLAIR of one case showed "V sign" in midbrain. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of one case demonstrated right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was mainly extended posterior communicating artery (PCoA), with dysplastic P1 segment, which was embryonal PCA. The clinical symptoms of 3 cases were improved significantly after cerebrovascular disease treatment. The classical clinical symptoms, symmetrical high signal in bilateral paramedian thalami on DWI and "V sign" in midbrain on FLAIR, can improve early diagnosis of Percheron artery infarction. Unilateral embryonal PCA may be underlying risk factor for Percheron artery infarction.

DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2016.11.011