A case of cocaine-induced basilar artery thrombosis.
BACKGROUND
A 40-year-old man presented to an emergency department with slurred speech, diplopia and agitation several hours after cocaine use. His level of consciousness rapidly dropped in the hours following presentation.


METHODS
Physical examination, CT scan of the head, cerebral angiography.


METHODS
Cocaine-induced basilar artery thrombosis.


RESULTS
Intra-arterial thombolysis, mechanical clot aspiration, intravenous abciximab, neurointensive care support, rehabilitation at a specialist stroke unit.
MacEwen
Clare
C
Oxford Kidney Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK. claremacewen@doctors.org.uk
Ward
Mike
M
Buchan
Alastair
A
D000328:Adult; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000150:complications; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D003042:Cocaine