Case Report: What is Your Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Cerebellar Infarct?

Abstract

Neurovascular variants are not frequently described outside of specialty literature. Infarction involving these atypical neurovascular structures present with unusual clinical findings and radiologic imaging. A 63-year-old man with hypertension, diabetes, and former tobacco use presented from the Department of Corrections with global headache, nausea, vomiting, and double vision. He was found to be hypertensive to 240/120. CT imaging noted acute ischemic changes in the bilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery distribution. Follow up 3-D time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the cranial region demonstrated abrupt cut off of an azygous right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and presumed absence of the left PICA. The patient underwent occipital craniotomy for evolving ischemic stroke and development of hydrocephalus, and ultimately recovered without neurologic deficits.