Ischaemic stroke in the artery of Percheron region mimicking nonconvulsive status epilepticus
Andrzej Borysowicz1, Piotr Janik2
The occurrence of a cerebral circulation variant called the artery of Percheron is a rare phenomenon. In the case of its obstruction, the medial fragments of both thalami and sometimes the midbrain become ischaemic. Typical clinical signs include: consciousness and memory disorders, restricted vertical eyeball mobility and pupil reaction pathology. Aetiological factors are usually small vessel disease or cardiogenic embolism. The clinical signs of ischaemic stroke in the artery of Percheron region may mimic nonconvulsive status epilepticus. This article presents a patient with ischaemic stroke within both thalami and mesencephalon, initially diagnosed with and treated for status epilepticus. The exact knowledge of the signs produced by stroke in the artery of Percheron region offers chances for rapid diagnosis and implementation of proper treatment. The article illustrates difficulties associated with the diagnostic process and therapeutic decision-making in patients with atypical signs of stroke.