Recurrent artery of Heubner infarction - capsular warning syndrome

Case contributed by René Pfleger
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Presenting to ER with headaches and light dizziness after minor head trauma. Further details temporarily withheld.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male

CT study of the head reveals no acute abnormalities. 

There is loss of substance in the right-sided head of the caudate, anterior putamen and anterior limb of the internal capsule with slight secondary dilatation of the right lateral ventricle and frontal horn, consistent with infarction in the territory of right recurrent artery of Heubner (RHA).

There is intracranial atherosclerosis of the intraclinoid segment of both internal carotid arteries (ICA).

No further evidence of atherosclerotic disease, no evidence of former surgery.

Bones, paranasal sinuses and mastoid are unremarkable except slight polypoid mucosal thickening in anterior wall of left maxillary sinus.

Conclusion

No acute intracranial abnormality.

Chronic changes comprising lacunar infarction of right recurrent Heubner artery territory and intracranial atherosclerosis of both ICAs - correlation with patient history, inherited disposition and various blood test including lipid profile recommended.

Annotated images depicting anomalies.

Lacunar infarction of right caudate head, anterior putamen and anterior head of the internal capsule i.e. in the vascular territory of right recurrent artery of Heubner.

Arteriosclerotic changes of both ICAs, intraclinoid part.

After interim loss to follow-up, the patient was referred for imaging three years later due to repetitive symptoms comprising left-sided facial droop and simultaneous weakness and numbness of the left arm and leg.

MRI performed as multimodal stroke protocol without evidence of diffusion restriction, acute bleed or thrombosis. No microbleeds. Loss of substance with reactive gliosis corresponding to right artery of Heubner infarction, unchanged. Remainder of cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum unremarkable. No overt malignant or focal changes.

Incidental note of polypoid mucosal thickening rostrally in left maxillary sinus.

Conclusion

No acute intracranial abnormalities.

Sequel to right artery of Heubner infarction, unchanged in character and size.

Chronic lacunar infarction of right recurrent artery of Heubner as depicted on T2 FLAIR.
Loss of substance (green arrow). Reactive gliosis (orange arrow). Secondary dilatation of right lateral ventricle with outward bowing of capsule (blue arrow).

Case Discussion

The symptom complex of fluctuating unilateral motor, sensory or sensorimotor deficits simultaneously affecting the face, arm, and leg (i.e. clinically localized to the internal capsule) is referred to as capsular warning syndrome (CWS). While the exact pathogenesis is not fully understood and with the syndrome being rare (~1.5% of transient ischemic attacks (TIA)), its often poor prognosis with a 7-day risk of subsequent stroke equating 60% necessitates both clinicians and radiologists to be cognizant of this entity. 

With a history of incidental intracranial atherosclerotic disease (IAD) and lacunar infarction of the right recurrent artery of Heubner (performed at St. Elsewhere and not reacted upon) as visualized on brain computed tomography CT performed due to minor head trauma three years before, the patient later presented to the ER with repetitive sensorimotor deficits in the left side of the face, left arm and left leg i.e. description fitting CWS. MRI stroke protocol (DWI, T2-WI, T2*-WI and T2 FLAIR) performed in ER setting revealed no acute changes including absence of diffusion restriction, indicating intermediate risk of subsequent complete stroke. Ultrasonography with pulse-wave Doppler (PWUS) of the extracranial cervical vessels and consultation by a cardiologist performed in a subacute setting were without evidence of cervical large vessel or cardiac disease. 

Cholesterol lowering drugs and antiplatelet therapy were initiated and the patient was asymptomatic at both one- and two-year follow up.

With diagnostic workup, as well as therapy, in CWS dependent on local/national guidelines, these must be tailored individually and are beyond the scope of this discussion.

Key points:

  • the symptom complex of fluctuating unilateral motor, sensory or sensorimotor deficits simultaneously affecting the face, arm and leg, also referred to as capsular warning syndrome (CWS)carries a poor prognosis with a 7-day risk of subsequent stroke equating 60%, necessitating both clinicians and radiologists to be cognizant of this entity
  • while MRI may be preferable owing to its higher sensitivity, timely (<7 days) cross-sectional imaging (by either CT or MRI) as well as risk-stratification and initiation of tailored therapy are of utmost importance to prevent a potentially devastating outcome

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