TRAUMATIC BASILAR ARTERY DISSECTION CAUSING LOCKED-IN SYNDROME

We report on a patient with traumatic dissection limited to the basila r artery causing a locked-in syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) showed infarction of the basis pontis and a high signal intensity ri ng surrounding the central lumen of the basilar artery. Vertebral angi ography revealed a double lumen within the basilar artery, consistent with a dissection. MRI and angiography are complementary to each other , and we consider both to be necessary for accurate diagnosis. Because MRI is less invasive than angiography, MR examinations should be perf ormed before angiography for screening.