Postpartum Vertebral Artery Occlusion and Stenosis Following Cesarean Section

TL;DR

A woman developed a rare case of vertebral artery occlusion after a cesarean section, highlighting the risk of stroke in young postpartum patients.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare occurrence of vertebral artery occlusion following a cesarean section in a low-risk patient.

Findings

The patient showed neurological symptoms and MRI/CT findings consistent with posterior circulation stroke.

Medical treatment led to symptom improvement, but long-term follow-up is necessary.

The case emphasizes the importance of considering stroke in postpartum patients with neurological symptoms.

Abstract

Vertebral artery occlusion is a condition that can reduce blood flow to the vertebrobasilar system, which may cause various neurological symptoms. We report the case of a 34-year-old female patient who had a cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia 19 days before presentation. She had no identifiable risk factors. The patient presented to the Family Health Center with complaints of dizziness. She exhibited numbness on the right side of the face, right arm, and right side of the tongue, as well as weakness in her right arm and leg, and was subsequently referred to the emergency department via ambulance. Cranial diffusion MRI showed millimetric diffusion restriction in the right cerebellar and right bulbar regions. Brain CT angiography also showed an occlusion in the V3 and V4 segments of the right vertebral artery. Following medical treatment, the patient’s symptoms improved, and she was discharged with a plan for long-term follow-up. This case underscores the need to consider posterior circulation stroke even in young, low-risk postpartum patients.

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