Posterior circulation infarct

Posterior circulation infarct
Circle of Willis. Posterior circulation represented by bottom half of diagram.
Classification and external resources
ICD-9-CM	433.0, 433.2

A Posterior Circulation Infarct (POCI) is a type of cerebral infarction affecting the posterior circulation supplying one side of the brain.

Posterior Circulation Stroke Syndrome (POCS) refers to the symptoms of a patient who clinically appears to have had a posterior circulation infarct, but who has not yet had any diagnostic imaging (e.g. CT Scan) to confirm the diagnosis.

It can cause the following symptoms:

• Cranial nerve palsy AND contralateral motor/sensory defect
• Bilateral motor or sensory defect
• Eye movement problems (e.g.nystagmus)
• Cerebellar dysfunction
• Isolated homonymous hemianopia

It has also been associated with deafness.^[1]

See also

• Stroke
• Artery of Percheron

References

1. Lee H (2008). "Sudden deafness related to posterior circulation infarction in the territory of the nonanterior inferior cerebellar artery: frequency, origin, and vascular topographical pattern". Eur. Neurol. 59 (6): 302–6. doi:10.1159/000121421. PMID 18408371.