Course

‘Top of the basilar’ strokes — PCA/thalamus/midbrain cluster and imaging localization (Advanced)

Advanced course: occlusion near the basilar tip can affect PCAs, thalami, and midbrain, causing altered consciousness, vision changes, memory problems, and eye movement deficits. Learn how CTA/MRA localize the occlusion and MRI shows infarcts

FoundationsCaregiver, SurvivorAdvanced55 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — not medical advice.

What you'll learn

  • Recognize top-of-basilar symptom clusters (vision + eye movements + consciousness)
  • Understand why this can look different from anterior circulation stroke
  • Understand imaging: CT for hemorrhage, CTA/MRA for basilar/PCA occlusion, MRI DWI for infarct map
  • Know questions about monitoring, airway, and repeat imaging

Practice check

Check your understanding

A few untimed questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback, then continue to the next lesson.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. Posterior circulation strokes can present with altered consciousness and eye movement abnormalities.

Question 2

2. CTA/MRA are used to…

Question 3

3. MRI DWI helps by…