title: Occlusion of the artery of Percheron: an unusual cause of bilateral stroke.
abstract: The artery of Percheron is a rare anatomical variant whereby a single vessel arising from the proximal segment of one posterior cerebral artery supplies both medial thalami. This is a rare example of a single arterial supply to brain structures on both sides of the midline. Occlusion of the artery of Percheron results in bilateral medial thalamic infarction, which is manifest clinically as gaze paresis, cognitive disturbance and altered consciousness. The presentation can mimic subarachnoid haemorrhage, drug intoxication, encephalitis and other inflammatory or infective conditions. The presentation is similar to the 'top of the basilar syndrome' and early recognition should prompt further investigation for underlying stroke aetiologies and consideration can be given to thrombolysis if vascular occlusion can be confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D020526:Brain Stem Infarctions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D020769:Posterior Cerebral Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed