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Posterior circulation cerebrovascular syndromes: diagnosis and management.

  • Schulz UG Stroke Prevention Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford, UK.
  • Fischer U Department of Neurology, University Hospital (Inselspital) and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  • 2016-04-14
Published in:
  • Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. - 2017
CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE
STROKE
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Endovascular Procedures
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neuroimaging
Secondary Prevention
Stroke
Syndrome
English One in five strokes affects the posterior circulation. Diagnosing posterior circulation stroke can be challenging, as the vascular anatomy can be variable, and because presenting symptoms are often non-specific and fluctuating. Nevertheless, making the correct diagnosis is important, as these strokes have a high chance of recurrence, can be life threatening, and can lead to equally life-threatening complications. Investigation and management largely follow those for stroke in general, although some specific differences exist. These include the preferred use of MRI for diagnosing posterior fossa lesions, the management of basilar artery thrombosis, which may have a longer time window for recanalisation therapy, and the use of endovascular therapies for secondary prevention, which, so far, have not shown any benefit in the treatment of vertebral or basilar artery stenosis. In this review, we summarise the anatomy, aetiology and presentation of posterior circulation stroke, and discuss current approaches to management.
Language
  • English
Open access status
green
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https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/201141
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