CASE 15741 Published on 15.06.2018

The bilateral thalamic infarction

Section

Neuroradiology

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

Katherine Mafla, MD. (1). Donato Angel, MD(1, 2). Brito Arnaldo MD(2). Figueroa Ramon E.MD.FACR.(2)

1. Hospital Militar Central, Bogota, Colombia.
2. Augusta University. Augusta, GA 30912 USA
Email:donatoangel@yahoo.com
Patient

86 years, female

Categories
Area of Interest Neuroradiology brain ; Imaging Technique MR, Conventional radiography, CT, MR-Diffusion/Perfusion
Clinical History

86-year-old female patient, found down, scalp haematoma, concern for seizure vs stroke.

Imaging Findings

Examination demonstrates symmetric bilateral medial thalamic acute infarcts with positive diffusion signal abnormality and diffusion restriction. Punctate susceptibility signal loss is noticed on both medial thalamic lesions. There is preservation of signal flow void behaviour in both internal cerebral veins and vein of Galen.

Discussion

Bilateral thalamic infarction (BTI) is a rare entity that represents 0.6% of the first cerebrovascular ischaemic event. [1, 2] Patients present with a variable clinical presentation that includes fluctuations in the state of consciousness, a "sleep-like coma " stage, confusion and disorientation. When the commitment is extended to the rostral mesencephalon, alterations in eye movements are included. Its diagnosis becomes a challenge for emergency services. [2]
The paramedian bilateral thalamic infarction has been known for its cardinal manifestation, the abrupt alteration of the state of consciousness, and is usually accompanied by paralysis of the vertical gaze or other alterations in the ocular movements. The coma develops as a result of the interruption of both activating systems, the ascending reticular formation ending in the intralaminar region and the thalamic midline nuclei, and the hypothalamic wake center. Associated with paralysis for vertical gaze and pupillary abnormalities as a result of the involvement of the intralaminar and dorsomedial thalamic nuclei, coexisting with lesions of the superior mesencephalon (interstitial rostral nuclei of the medial longitudinal fasciculus and the posterior commissure). Akinetic mutism can also occur when there is involvement of the posterior diencephalon and "loss of psychic self-activation." [3, 4, 5]
The main cause is the disease of small arteries originating in the rostral portion of the basilar artery independently of the topography of the lesions, and secondly, emboligenic sources (artery to artery embolism or cardioembolism). [6]
The existence of the Percheron artery is the anatomical substrate that explains bilateral thalamic infarcts. However, sometimes the irrigation of the rostral region of the mesencephalon depends on the peduncular paramedian artery, which can be born from the thalamic paramedian artery itself, or independently from the basilar artery. This variability is what explains the existence of thalamic infarcts without the mesencephalic involvement and the possible asymmetry of the mesencephalic extension of bilateral thalamic infarcts. [7]
Honig et al. Reinforce in their study the need to quickly diagnose of BTI for immediate intervention with IV-tPA or angiography. Computed tomography and CTA are not contrasted with the majority of cases, whereas the IRM-DRI has a much higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction. Therefore, it suggests that resonance should be used urgently and early for the evaluation of comatose patients. [8]
Another imaging finding is a V-shaped hyperintense signal intensity on axial DWI and FLAIR images on the pial surface of the midbrain [9].

Differential Diagnosis List
Bilateral thalamic infarction
Top of the basilar artery syndrome
Bilateral internal cerebral vein thrombosis
Final Diagnosis
Bilateral thalamic infarction
Case information
URL: https://www.eurorad.org/case/15741
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.15741
ISSN: 1563-4086
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