Mechanical Thrombectomy and Parent Artery Occlusion for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Due to Vertebral Fracture and Artery Dissection: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) secondary to traumatic vertebral artery (VA) dissection caused by vertebral fracture is a rare cause of acute ischemic stroke, and optimal management, such as antithrombotic agents, surgical fixation, and parent artery occlusion (PAO), has been controversial. We report a case in which mechanical thrombectomy and PAO were performed for a BAO due to right VA dissection caused by a transverse foramen fracture of the axis vertebra.

Case Presentation: A patient in her 80s suffered from a backward fall, and a neck CT revealed a fracture and dislocation of the right lateral mass of the axis and a compressed transverse foramen. The patient was instructed to admit and to remain in bed rest; however, she suddenly lost consciousness the following day. The CTA revealed right VA occlusion and BAO; therefore, the patient underwent mechanical thrombectomy and the BAO was successfully reperfused but the VA stenotic dissection remained. PAO of the right VA was performed on the fifth day after the accident to prevent BAO recurrence.

Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy is an effective treatment for BAO caused by VA dissection, and PAO may contribute to the prevention of stroke recurrence.