[Severe brain stem ischemia caused by subclavian steal syndrome].

Subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) is produced by occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery and subsequent retrograde filling of the subclavian artery via the vertebral artery. The resulting alteration of blood flow may cause a variety of symptoms secondary to decreased blood supply to the brain and upper extremity of the affected side. A case of severe brain stem ischemia caused by SSS was reported. We performed a subclavian-subclavian graft shunt for this patient and obtained good results. Such a case has been only rarely described in the literature. Complementary information obtained from digital subtraction angiography, computed tomography and MRI helped to establish a correct preoperative and postoperative diagnosis.