title: Transient locked-in syndrome and basilar artery vasospasm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebral vasospasm is the main cause of neurological mortality and morbidity following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Basilar artery vasospasm (BAVS) is associated with a high morbidity and may have multiple clinical presentations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 43 years-old man with BAVS presenting as a reversible locked-in syndrome (LIS) after stopping sedation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptoms were successfully managed by intra-arterial infusion of vasodilators and balloon angioplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal any brainstem lesion 48 h after the complication, demonstrating a hemodynamic mechanism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LIS can reveal BAVS. Its diagnosis relies on clinical examination. In this case, rapid neuro-interventional treatment permitted reversal of symptoms. This could not have been possible under sedation.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Sainte Anne Teaching Military Hospital, Toulon, France.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lacroix
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Couret
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Combaz
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Prunet
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Girard
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Bruder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents