Transient total locked-in syndrome due to vertebral and basilar artery dissection

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman suddenly presented with right conjugate eye deviation, anarthria and quadriplegia, and appeared to be in a deep coma. MRI revealed a new infarct in the left cerebellar hemisphere and stenosis in the distal portion of the basilar artery caused by arterial dissection. Her deficits improved within 6 hours of onset. Moreover, on day 1, she described that she had been alert and her vision, hearing and somatic sensation had been preserved during the illness. Total locked-in syndrome should be considered while assessing patients with total immobility who are unable to communicate.