occlusion precerebral artery

Occlusion Precerebral Artery: A Medical Condition

The occlusion precerebral artery, also known as occlusion and stenosis of multiple and bilateral precerebral arteries, is a medical condition where the precerebral arteries become blocked or narrowed. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in various symptoms and complications.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of occlusion precerebral artery are not well understood, but it is believed to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some risk factors that may contribute to this condition include:

• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in the arteries)
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Family history

Symptoms

The symptoms of occlusion precerebral artery can vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage. Some common symptoms include:

• Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Vision changes or loss
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Confusion or altered mental state

Complications

If left untreated, occlusion precerebral artery can lead to serious complications, including:

• Cerebral infarction (stroke)
• Hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body)
• Visual field defects
• Motor and sensitive loss symptoms
• Neuropsychological deficits

Treatment and Management

The treatment for occlusion precerebral artery typically involves a combination of medical management and endovascular therapy. Medical management may include medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors. Endovascular therapy, such as angioplasty or stenting, may be used to restore blood flow to the affected area.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with occlusion precerebral artery depends on various factors, including the severity of the blockage, the presence of any underlying medical conditions, and the effectiveness of treatment. In some cases, patients may experience a full recovery, while in others, they may be left with permanent damage or disability.

References

• [1] Integrated disease information for Occlusion Precerebral Artery including associated genes, mutations, phenotypes, pathways, drugs, and more - integrated ...
• [2] ICD-10 code I65.9 for Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified precerebral artery is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range -Cerebrova.
• [3] The cerebral circulation is composed of a multitude of arteries that provide oxygenated blood to the brain. The cerebral vasculature is unique because it has a circular ring of anastomosing arteries that provide collateral circulation to the brain, known as the circle of Willis. Both anterior and posterior circulations of the brain are connected by the posterior communicating arteries, which ...
• [4] Nguyen TN, Qureshi MM, Strambo D, et al. Endovascular versus medical management of posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke: the PLATO study. Stroke. 2023;54(7):1708-1717.
• [5] Maulucci F, Disanto G, Bianco G, et al. Endovascular therapy outcome in isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion strokes: a multicenter analysis of the Swiss Stroke ...

Common Signs and Symptoms of Occlusion Precerebral Artery

The signs and symptoms of occlusion precerebral artery can vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage, but common ones include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body [1]
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking [1]
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes [8]
• Trouble walking or dizziness, loss of balance or coordination [8]
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause [8]

In some cases, occlusion precerebral artery can also lead to more severe symptoms such as:

• Hemiparesis or quadriplegia (weakness or paralysis on one side of the body) [10]
• Sensory loss affecting either the hemibody (one side of the body) [10]

It's essential to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, as prompt treatment can help minimize damage and improve outcomes.

References:

[1] Context 1 [8] Context 8 [10] Context 10

Diagnostic Tests for Occlusion of Precerebral Artery

The diagnosis of occlusion of precerebral artery involves a combination of physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.

• Physical Exam: A thorough physical examination is essential to identify any visible signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD), such as ulcers on the skin [1].
• Imaging Studies: Various imaging tests can be used to diagnose occlusion of precerebral artery, including:
  • Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the brain's blood vessels [5].
  • Angiogram: A minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessel to visualize any blockages or narrowing [3].
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan can help identify any blockages or narrowing of the precerebral artery [4].
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): This non-invasive test uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the blood vessels and detect any blockages or narrowing [14].

Other Diagnostic Tests: In addition to these imaging studies, other tests may be performed to rule out other conditions that may be causing the symptoms. These include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): A baseline study that may reveal a cause for the stroke, such as polycythemia, thrombocytosis, or leukemia [4].
• Laboratory tests: Other laboratory tests may be performed to evaluate the patient's overall health and identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the occlusion of precerebral artery.

References

[1] - Physical exam: Your healthcare provider carefully checks your limb. They feel your skin and check your pulse at many different points. They also look for visible signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD), such as ulcers on the skin [1].

[3] - Angiogram: A minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessel to visualize any blockages or narrowing [3].

[4] - CT scan: A CT scan can help identify any blockages or narrowing of the precerebral artery [4].

[5] - TCD ultrasound: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the brain's blood vessels [5].

[14] - MRA: This non-invasive test uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the blood vessels and detect any blockages or narrowing [14].

Treatment Options for Precerebral Artery Occlusion

The treatment for occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries varies depending on the patient's condition, whether they had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke. According to recent studies [8], if the patient arrives at the hospital fast enough, endovascular treatment in the form of angioplasty or stenting may be considered.

However, for most cases, anticoagulation therapy is the primary treatment approach. This typically involves administering intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagulants for a period of 6 months [6]. The goal of this treatment is to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications.

It's worth noting that mechanical thrombectomy, which involves removing the blood clot using a mechanical device, is currently considered the gold standard treatment for large vessel occlusions, especially in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke [7].

In some cases, patients may also receive blood-thinning medications as a first-line therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots. Most dissections heal on their own, but these medications can help prevent further complications [9].

References:

• [6] Treatment is with anticoagulation (intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagulants for 6 months), endovascular treatment in the form of angioplasty or stenting may be considered.
• [7] Mechanical thrombectomy is currently the gold standard treatment of large vessel occlusions, especially in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke.
• [8] Treatment of occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries varies if the patient had a TIA or a stroke. If the patient arrives fast enough, endovascular treatment in the form of angioplasty or stenting may be considered.
• [9] Most dissections heal on their own. To reduce the risk of blood clots, you may receive blood-thinning medications as a first-line therapy such ...

The differential diagnosis for occlusion of the precerebral artery involves considering various conditions that can cause similar symptoms and signs. Here are some possible differential diagnoses:

• Carotid stenosis: This is a narrowing of the carotid arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain and cause symptoms such as numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg [3].
• Cerebral infarction: This refers to a blockage of an artery that supplies blood to the brain, leading to tissue death and damage. It can be caused by various factors, including occlusion of the precerebral artery [7].
• Vertebrobasilar artery occlusion: This is a blockage of one or more of the vertebrobasilar arteries, which supply blood to the back of the brain and cerebellum. Symptoms can include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, as well as difficulty with coordination and balance [14].
• Subclavian artery stenosis: This is a narrowing of the subclavian artery, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the arm and cause symptoms such as numbness or weakness in the arm [11].

It's worth noting that these conditions may have overlapping symptoms and signs, making differential diagnosis challenging. A thorough medical evaluation, including imaging studies and laboratory tests, is necessary to determine the underlying cause of symptoms.

References:

[3] Jun 13, 2023 — Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries symptoms may include sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden ...

[7] I6320, Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of unspecified precerebral arteries ; I63211, Cerebral infarction due to unspecified ...

[11] Subclavian artery stenosis can rarely cause arm ischemia and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) but seldom cause strokes. Because the vertebral arteries in the neck originate from the proximal subclavian arteries, disease of the subclavian or innominate arteries proximal to the vertebral artery origin can cause reduction of vertebral artery flow.

[14] The presentation of vertebrobasilar artery occlusion varies with the cause of occlusion and location of ischemia. This often results in delay in diagnosis. ... Ischemic stroke is an important differential diagnosis to consider even in younger patients. Arterial dissection must be considered as a potential etiology, particularly in patients with ...