Study on posterior circulatory stroke characteristics and clinico-radiological imaging

Abstract

Background: Stroke research and clinical trials have focused mainly on anterior circulation stroke (ACS). Since clinical characteristics, mechanisms, and risk factors of posterior circulation stroke (PCS) have been reported different from ACS, more PCS studies are required. Methods: A Prospective, observational, Clinical study. All patients presenting to the department of general medicine and neurology of saveetha medical college from august 2021 to January 2023 with new onset neuro-deficit. Inclusion criteria is patients age 18 years or older and Clinical profile, radiological finding which is suggestive of acute PCS. Radiological imaging was done in detail to assess the artery involved and area affected. Results: Most common associated risk factors were hypertension (61%), alcoholism (33%) and smoking (32%). Most common presenting clinical symptoms of cases with PCS are giddiness (59%), left/ right sided weakness (48%). Posterior cerebral artery was involved in 45% of the patients. The next common involvement was that of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (38%). Most common area involved was brainstem, cerebellum. Conclusions: This study describes the pattern of risk factors and clinical characteristics of PCS. Males were affected more than females. Age group commonly involved was above sixty years. Hypertension, alcoholism, diabetes and smoking contributed the major risk factors. Giddiness was commonest symptom at the onset. Most of the patients had clinical signs of cerebellum and brainstem lesions. The territory commonly involved was mid-brain, cerebellum, thalamus, occipital and temporal lobes.