Acute Ischemic Stroke with Devastating Consequences Can Occur Due to Posterior Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation

Abstract

Posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation is a rare injury requiring prompt diagnosis as it has been associated with the compression of the subclavian and brachiocephalic arteries. We report the case of a 27-year-old male presenting with altered mental status and left hemiparesis found to have life-altering neurologic damage caused by severe orthopedic injury after a fall while intoxicated. Imaging revealed a posteriorly displaced right medial clavicle with surrounding hematoma compressing the brachiocephalic artery causing local thrombus formation and distal embolization, ultimately resulting in malignant cerebral infarction. His hospital course was complicated by cerebral edema requiring decompressive craniectomy, hemorrhagic transformations, brachiocephalic pseudoaneurysm, and the development of remote embolic ischemic infarctions.