Teaching NeuroImages: Hyperdense posterior cerebral artery sign

A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department with right-sided weakness, sensory loss, and hemianopsia. CT head showed a left hyperdense posterior cerebral artery sign (HPCAS) (figure 1). CT angiogram of the head confirmed a left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion (figure 2). MRI demonstrated a left PCA infarct. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed an atrial septal aneurysm and patent foramen ovale. He was treated with antiplatelet therapy. The HPCAS has been considered a marker for acute ischemia in the PCA territory.1 Recognizing the HPCAS on CT in acute stroke may help in the diagnosis and treatment of thromboembolic PCA branch occlusion.

Source: Neurology - November 10, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Capampangan, D. J., Lee-Ianotti, J. K., Riordan, K. C., Kramer, C. L. Tags: CT, All Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research