Case series: Hyperdense basilar artery identified on unenhanced head CT in three cases of pediatric basilar artery occlusion

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is an easily missed, potentially devastating type of ischemic stroke. Children with BAO can present with a range of clinical symptoms, from headache, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting [1-3] to profound alterations of consciousness, including locked-in syndrome and coma [2]. Typically in children with BAO, only an unenhanced head Computed Tomography (CT) is initially performed. When an obvious finding is not identified, such as intracranial hemorrhage, the unenhanced CT is rarely carefully further scrutinized by emergency physicians.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research