Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

History of Vertebrobasilar Territory Stroke and TIA

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Posterior Circulation Stroke

  • 769 Accesses

Abstract

The posterior circulation territory was initially of interest to physicians because it contained the brainstem. Clinical–anatomical correlations educated doctors as to how the brainstem functioned. Brainstem, cerebellar, and occipitotemporal lobe anatomy and the anatomy of the vertebral and basilar arteries were clarified during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was not until the 1920s that Charles Foix stimulated interest in the causes and mechanisms of occlusion of the brain-supplying arteries. When CT and later MRI became available, it was possible to perform more accurate clinical–anatomical–pathological studies of patients with infarcts and hemorrhages within the posterior circulation territories. When CT, MR, and digital subtraction angiography became widely available, physicians could then correlate occlusive disease involving the vertebral and basilar arteries with the usual locations of brain ischemia and the associated clinical features. The epidemiology and causes of vascular lesions could also be better studied than in the past. Modern studies clarified the causes, frequency, and locations of various vertebral and basilar artery lesions and the usual distribution of brain ischemia, infarction, and hemorrhage within posterior circulation territories.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Wepfer JJ. Observationes anatomicae ex cadaveribus eorum, quos sustulit apoplexia, cum exercitatione de ejus loco affecto. Schaffhausen: Joh Caspari Suteri; 1658.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Wolf JK. The classical brain stem syndromes. Springfield Ill: Charles C Thomas Publ; 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wallenberg A. Acute bulbaraffection (Embolie der art. cerebellar post. inf.sinistr.?). Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr. 1895;27:504–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Wallenberg A. Anatomischer befund in einem als “acute bulbar affection (embolie der art. cerebellar post. inf. sinistra?)” beschreibenen falle. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr. 1901;34:923–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wallenberg A. Verschluss der arteria cerebelli inferior posterior sinistra. Neurol Zentralblatt. 1915;34:236–47.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Wallenberg A. Verschluss der arteria cerebelli inferior posterior dextra (mit sektionbefund). Deutsche Zeitschrift f Nervenheilk. 1922;73:189–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Duret H. Sur la distribution des arteres nouricierres du bulb rachidien. Arch Physiol Norm Path. 1873;5:97–113.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Duret H. Reserches anatomiques sur la circulation de l’encephale. Arch Physiol Norm Pathol. 1874;3:60–91, 316-353,664-693, 919-957

    Google Scholar 

  9. Stopford JSB. The arteries of the pons and medulla oblongata. J Anat Physiol. 1916;50:131–63. 255–280

    Google Scholar 

  10. Caplan LR. Charles Foix, the first modern stroke neurologist. Stroke. 1990;21:348–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Foix C, Hillemand P. Irrigation de la protuberance. C R Soc Biol (Paris). 1925;92:35–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Foix C, Hillemand P. Les syndromes de la region thalamique. Presse Med. 1925;33:113–7.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Foix C, Hillemand P, Schalit I. Sur le syndrome lateral du bulbe et I'irrigation du bulbe superieur. Rev Neurol (Paris). 1925;41:160–79.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Foix C, Hillemand P. Les arteres de I'axe encephalique jusqu'au diencephale inclusivemenl. Rev Neurol (Paris). 1925;41:705–39.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Foix C, Masson A. Le syndrome de I’artere cerebrale posterieure. Presse Med. 1923;31:361–5.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kubik C, Adams R. Occlusion of the basilar artery: a clinical and pathologic study. Brain. 1946;69:73–121.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hayem MG. Sur la thrombose par arterite du tronc basilaire Comme cause du mort rapide. Archiv Physiol Norm Path. 1868;1:270–89.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Marburg O. Uber die neuren fortscritte in der topischen diagnostik des ponsund der oblongata. Deutsche Zeitschrift f Nervebheilk. 1911;41:41–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Leyden E. Ueber die thrombose der basilar arterie. Zeitschr Klein Med. 1882;5:165–85.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lhermitte J, Trelles JO. L’arteriosclerose du tronc basilaire et ses consequences anatomo-clinques. Jahrbucher f Psychiatrie Neurologie. 1934;51:91–107.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Pines L, Gilinsky E. Uber die thrombose der arteria basilaires und uber die vascularisation der brucke. Archiv f Psychiatrie Nervenkrank. 1932;97:380–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Fisher CM. Occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Arch Neurol Psychiatr. 1951;65:346–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Fisher M. Occlusion of the carotid arteries. Arch Neurol Psychiatr. 1954;72:187–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hutchinson EC, Yates PO. The cervical portion of the vertebral artery, a clinic=pathological study. Brain. 1956;79:319–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Yates PO, Hutchinson EC. Carotico-vertebral stenosis. Lancet. 1957;1:2–8.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Fisher CM. Occlusion of the vertebral arteries. Arch Neurol. 1970;22:13–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Reivich M, Holling E, Roberts B, Toole JF. Reversal of blood flow through the vertebral artery and its effect on cerebral circulation. N Engl J Med. 1961;265:878–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Caplan LR. Dissections of brain-supplying arteries. Nat Clin Pract Neurol. 2008;4(1):34–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hennerici M, Klemm C, Rautenberg W. The subclavian steal phenomenon; a common vascular disorder with rare neurological deficits. Neurology. 1988;88:669–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Seldinger SI. Catheter replacement of the needle in percutaneous arteriography. Acta Radiol. 1953;39:368–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Hass WK, Fields WS, North R, et al. Joint study of extracranial arterial occlusion. II. Arteriography, techniques, sites, and complications. JAMA. 1968;203:961–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Millikan C, Siekert R. Studies in cerebrovascular disease. The syndrome of intermittent insufficiency of the basilar arterial system. Mayo Clin Proc. 1955;30:61–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Bradshaw P, McQuaid P. The syndrome of Veretebro-basilar insufficiency. Q J Med. 1963;32:279–96.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Millikan C, Siekert R, Shick R. Studies in cerebrovascular disease: the use of anticoagulant drugs in the treatment of insufficiency or thrombosis within the basilar arterial system. Mayo Clin Proc. 1955;30:116–26.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Chimowitz M, Lynn MJ, Howlett-Smith H, et al. For the warfarin-aspirin symptomatic intracranial disease trial investigators. Comparison of warfarin and aspirin for symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1305–16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Denny-Brown D. Basilar artery syndromes. Bull N Engl Med Center. 1953;15:53–60.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Fisher CM, Karnes W, Kubik C. Lateral medullary infarction: the pattern of vascular occlusion. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1961;20:323–79.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kim J. Pure lateral medullary infarction: clinical-radiological correlation of 130 acute, consecutive patients. Brain. 2003;126:1864–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kim JS, Kim HG, Chung CS. Medial medullary syndrome: report of 18 new patients and a review of the literature. Stroke. 1995;26:1548–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Kim JS, Han YS. Medial medullary infarction clinical, imaging, and outcome study in 86 consecutive patients. Stroke. 2009;40:3221–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Amarenco P, Caplan LR. Vertebrobasilar occlusive disease, review of selected aspects: 3. Mechanisms of cerebellar infarctions. Cerebrovasc Dis. 1993;3:66–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Caplan LR. Cerebellar infarcts: key features. Rev Neurol Dis. 2005;2:51–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Amarenco P, Rosengart A, DeWitt LD, Pessin MS, Caplan LR. Anterior inferior cerebellar artery territory infarcts: mechanisms and clinical features. Arch Neurol. 1993;50:154–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Chaves CJ, Caplan LR, Chung C-S, Tapia J, Amarenco P, Wityk R, Estol C, Tettenborn B, Rosengart A, Vemmos K, DeWitt LD, Pessin MS. Cerebellar infarcts in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. Neurology. 1994;44:1385–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Amarenco P, Kase CS, Rosengart A, Pessin MS, Bousser M-G, Caplan LR. Very small (border-zone) cerebellar infarcts. Brain. 1993;116:161–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Caplan LR. Top of the basilar syndrome: selected clinical aspects. Neurology. 1980;30:72–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Voetsch B, DeWitt LD, Pessin MS, Caplan LR. Basilar artery occlusive disease in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. Arch Neurol. 2004;61:496–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Caplan LR, DeWitt LD, Pessin MS, Gorelick PB, Adelman LS. Lateral thalamic infarcts. Arch Neurol. 1988;45:959–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Graff-Radford NR, Damasio H, Yamada T, et al. Non haemorrhagic thalamic infarction. Brain. 1985;108:495–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Bogousslavsky J, Regli F, Assal G. The syndrome of tuberothalamic artery territory infarction. Stroke. 1986;17:434–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Bogousslavsky J, Regli F, Uske A. Thalamic infarcts: clinical syndromes, etiology, and prognosis. Neurology. 1988;38:837–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Fisher CM. Pure sensory stroke and allied conditions. Stroke. 1982;13:434–47.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Fisher CM. Pure motor hemiplegia of vascular origin. Arch Neurol. 1965;13:30–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Fisher CM. Ataxic hemiparesis. Arch Neurol. 1978;35:126–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Kim JS, Lee JH, Im JH, Lee MC. Syndromes of pontine base infarction, a clinical-radiological correlation study. Stroke. 1995;26:950–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Fisher CM. A lacunar stroke. The dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome. Neurology. 1967;17:614–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Caplan L, Goodwin J. Lateral brainstem tegmental hemorrhage. Neurology. 1982;32:252–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Helgason CM, Wilbur AC. Basilar branch pontine infarctions with prominent sensory signs. Stroke. 1991;22:1129–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Fisher CM, Caplan LR. Basilar artery branch occlusion: a cause of pontine infarction. Neurology. 1971;21:900–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Caplan LR. Intracranial branch atheromatous disease. Neurology. 1989;39:1246–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Martin PJ, Chang H-M, Wityk R, Caplan LR. Midbrain infarction: associations and etiologies in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1998;64:392–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Pessin MS, Lathi E, Cohen MB, Kwan ES, Hedges TR, Caplan LR. Clinical features and mechanisms of occipital infarction in the posterior cerebral artery territory. Ann Neurol. 1987;21:290–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Yamamoto Y, Georgiadis AL, Chang H-M, Caplan LR. Posterior cerebral artery territory infarcts in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. Arch Neurol. 1999;56:824–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Caplan LR, Chung C-S, Wityk RJ, et al. New England Medical Center posterior circulation stroke registry: I. Methods, data base, distribution of brain lesions, stroke mechanisms, and outcomes. J Clin Neurol. 2005;1:14–30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Caplan LR, Wityk RJ, Pazdera L, et al. New England Medical Center posterior circulation stroke registry: II Vascular lesions. J Clin Neurol. 2005;1:31–49.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Glass TA, Hennessey PM, Pazdera L, Chang H-M, Wityk RJ, DeWitt LD, Pessin MD, Caplan LR. Outcome at 30 days in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. Arch Neurol. 2002;59(3):369–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Searls DE, Pazdera L, Korbel E, Vysata O, Caplan LR. Symptoms and signs of posterior circulation ischemia in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry. Arch Neurol. 2012;69(3):346–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Lou M, Caplan LR. Vertebrobasilar dilatative arteriopathy (dolichoectasia). In: the year in neurology, 2. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1184:121–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Caplan LR, Hennerici M. Impaired clearance of emboli (washout) is an important link between hypoperfusion, embolism, and ischemic stroke. Arch Neurol. 1998;55:1475–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Sedlaczek O, Caplan L, Hennerici M. Impaired washout – embolism and ischemic stroke: further examples and proof of concept. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2005;19:396–401.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Amin-Hanjani S, Du X, Rose-Finnell L, et al. On behalf of the VERITAS group. Hemodynamic features of Vertebrobasilar disease. Stroke. 2015;46:1850–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rt-PA Study Group. Tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1581–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Schonewille WJ, Wijman CA, Michel P, et al. Treatment and outcomes of acute basilar artery occlusion in the basilar artery international cooperation study (BASICS): a prospective registry study. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8:724–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Chimowitz MI, Lynn MJ, Derdeyn CP, Turan TN, Fiorella D, Lane BF, et al.; For the SAMMPRIS Trial Investigators. Stenting versus aggressive medical therapy for intracranial arterial stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:993–1003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  75. Derdeyn CP, Chimowitz MI, Lynn MJ, Fiorella D, Turan TN, Janis LS, et al. Aggressive medical treatment with or without stenting in high-risk patients with intracranial artery stenosis (SAMMPRIS): the final results of a randomised trial. Lancet. 2014;383:333–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Albers G, Marks MP, Kemp S, et al.; for the DEFUSE 3 Investigators. Thrombectomy for stroke at 6 to 16 hours with selection by perfusion imaging. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:708–18.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Nogueira RG, Jadhav AP, Haussen DC, et al.; for the DAWN Trial Investigators. Thrombectomy 6 to 24 hours after stroke with a mismatch between deficit and infarct. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Kumar G, Shahripour RB, Alexandrov AV. Recanalization of acute basilar artery occlusion improves outcomes: a meta-analysis. J Neurointerv Surg. 2015;7:868–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Cheyne J. Cases of apoplexy and lethargy with observations upon the comatose diseases. London: J Moyes printer; 1812.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Dana CL. Acute bulbar paralysis due to hemorrhage and softening of the pons and medulla with reports of cases and autopsies. Med Rec. 1903;64:361–74.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Gowers WR. A manual of diseases of the nervous system. London: J and A Churchill; 1893.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Oppenheim H. Lehrbuch der Nervenkrankheiten. 7th ed. Basel: Verlag S Karger; 1923. p. 1216–45.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Duret H. Etudes experimentales et cliniques sur les traumatismes cerebraux. Paris: V. Adrien Delahayes; 1878.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Thompson RK, Salcman M. Brain stem hemorrhages: historical perspective. Neurosurgery. 1988;22:623–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Attwater H. Pontine hemorrhage. Guys Hosp Rep. 1911;65:339–89.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Duret H. Traumatismes craniocerebraux. Paris: Librairee Felix Alcan; 1919.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Kornyey S. Rapidly fatal pontine hemorrhage: clinical and anatomical report. Arch Neurol Psychiatr. 1939;41:793–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Fisher CM. In: Fields WS, editor. Clinical syndromes in cerebral hemorrhage in pathogenesis and treatment of cerebrovascular disease. Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas Publ; 1961. p. 318–42.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Fisher CM. Pathological observations in hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1971;30:536–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Steegman AT. Primary pontine hemorrhage. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1951;114:35–65.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Caplan LR, Goodwin J. Lateral tegmental brainstem hemorrhage. Neurology. 1982;32:252–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Tyler HR, Johnson P. Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. N Engl J Med. 1982;287:506–12.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Kase CS, Maulsby G, Mohr JP. Partial pontine hematomas. Neurology. 1981;30:652–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Sedillot J. Epanchement de sang dans le lobe droit du cervelet suivi de la mort. J Gen de Med Chir et Pharm. 1813;47:375–9.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Childs T. A case of apoplexy of the cerebellum. Am Med Month. 1858;9:1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Carion F. Contribution a l’etude symptomatique st diagnostique de l’hemorrhagie cerebelleuse. Paris: Adrien Delhaye; 1875.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Michael JC. Cerebellar apoplexy. Am J Med Sci. 1932;183:687–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  98. Mitchell N, Angrist A. Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage: report of fifteen cases. Am J Path. 1942;18:935–53.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  99. McKissock W, Richardson A, Walsh L. Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. Brain. 1960;83:1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. Fisher CM, Picard EH, Polak A, Dalal P, Ojemann R. Acute hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage: diagnosis and surgical treatment. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1965;140:38–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Ott K, Kase C, Ojemann R, et al. Cerebellar hemorrhage: diagnosis and treatment. Arch Neurol. 1974;31:160–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Brennan R, Berglund R. Acute cerebellar hemorrhage. Analysis of clinical findings and outcome in 12 cases. Neurology. 1977;27:527–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Chung C-S, Caplan LR, Han W, Pessin MS, Lee K-H, Kim S-M. Thalamic haemorrhage. Brain. 1996;119:1873–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Louis R. Caplan

Authors
  1. Louis R. Caplan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louis R. Caplan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Jong S. Kim

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Caplan, L.R. (2021). History of Vertebrobasilar Territory Stroke and TIA. In: Kim, J.S. (eds) Posterior Circulation Stroke. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6739-1_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6739-1_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-6738-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-6739-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation