Hypoglycemia presenting as basilar artery thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
Following our treatment of a patient with hypoglycemia-induced brain stem symptoms, we examined the possible mechanisms for hypoglycemia presenting as basilar artery disease.


METHODS
We describe a patient who had progressive brain stem symptoms due to a diet-induced hypoglycemia initially diagnosed as basilar artery thrombosis. Symptoms ceased immediately after intravenous glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
Before invasive diagnostic and thrombolytic strategies are considered, hypoglycemia as a rare but important cause of acute brain stem dysfunction must be considered in patients suspected to suffer from basilar artery thrombosis.
Röther
J
J
Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Klinikum Mannheim, FRG.
Schreiner
A
A
Wentz
K U
KU
Hennerici
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001488:Basilar Artery; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001933:Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*