Posterior circulation infarct

Posterior circulation infarct
Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain (inferior view). Posterior circulation represented by bottom half of diagram.
Specialty	Neurology

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
• Vertigo

It has also been associated with deafness.

See also

• Stroke
• Artery of Percheron