Podcast 572:  Locked In Syndrome

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Locked in syndrome results typically from an infarct of the basilar artery leading to infarction of the brainstem but typically preservation of the higher structures The result is complete paralysis with preserved cognitive function, hence the name Because of their location within the brainstem, ocular movements are sometimes preserved, allowing a patient who recovers from the initial injury to communicate Patients typically do not regain any motor function and have a poor prognosis of recovery Thrombectomy of the basilar artery is sometimes considered even late after the initial presentation given the devastating prognosis References Smith E, Delargy M. Locked-in syndrome. BMJ. 2005;330(7488):406‐409. doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7488.406 Buchman SL, Merkler AE. Basilar Artery Occlusion: Diagnosis and Acute Treatment. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2019;21(10):45. Published 2019 Sep 26. doi:10.1007/s11940-019-0591-0 Meinel TR, Kaesmacher J, Chaloulos-Iakovidis P, et alMechanical thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion: efficacy, outcomes, and futile recanalization in comparison with the anterior circulationJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery 2019;11:1174-1180. Summarized by Jackson Roos, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD