Bilateral thalamic infarcts due to occlusion of the Artery of Percheron and discussion of the differential diagnosis of bilateral thalamic lesions

Abstract

The Artery of Percheron is a rare vascular variant in which a single dominant thalamoperforating artery arises from one P1 segment and bifurcates to supply both paramedian thalami. Occlusion of this uncommon vessel results in a characteristic pattern of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts with or without mesencephalic infarctions. We report a case of a 31-year-old man with acute bilateral thalamic infarcts and a truncated Artery of Percheron demonstrated on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Occlusion of the vessel was presumably due to embolism from a patent foramen ovale that was subsequently closed. The case presentation is followed by a discussion of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts including the causes and clinical presentation. The differential diagnosis of vascular and nonvascular etiologies of bilateral thalamic lesions is also discussed.