DIAGNOSIS OF EMBOLIC OCCLUSIONS OF SMALLER BRANCHES OF THE INTRACEREBRAL ARTERIES

Abstract

A method of applying zones to the termination of the 4 major branches of the middle cerebral artery is described that has been very helpful in detecting occlusions of isolated branches of the intracerebral vessels. Many of these occlusions of small [See figure in the pdf file] vessels are due to emboli and criteria for differentiation of embolic from other forms of occlusion are described. Of all cases of angiographically proven occlusive cerebrovascular disease, small vessels were involved in about 15 per cent, and approximately one-third of these occlusions were due to emboli. A thrombus responsible for the emboli was seen in the carotid artery in 4 cases.