Hypoglycemia presenting as basilar artery thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Following our treatment of a patient with hypoglycemia-induced brain stem symptoms, we examined the possible mechanisms for hypoglycemia presenting as basilar artery disease.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a patient who had progressive brain stem symptoms due to a diet-induced hypoglycemia initially diagnosed as basilar artery thrombosis. Symptoms ceased immediately after intravenous glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

Before invasive diagnostic and thrombolytic strategies are considered, hypoglycemia as a rare but important cause of acute brain stem dysfunction must be considered in patients suspected to suffer from basilar artery thrombosis.