Clinical features

Clinically, basilar artery stroke features are divided into: Prodromal symptoms - stuttering brainstem stroke - including:

• transient diplopia
• visual field loss
• intermittent memory loss
• brain stem symptoms e.g. vertigo, ataxia, paresis, paraesthesia

Following occlusion there is:

• reduced level of conscious progressing to coma
• bilateral motor and sensory loss - often in all limbs
• cerebellar signs
• cranial nerve palsies - dependent upon the precise level of occlusion

Occlusion of the basilar artery at it's origin produces lateral midbrain, thalamic, occipital and medial temporal lobe infarction.