Embolization of Basilar Artery by Myocardial Fragment: Report of a Case

Cerebral embolism is one of the three common types of cerebral vascular accident (hemorrhage, thrombosis, embolism). All are acute in onset and severely damaging in their effects, and all offer a uniformly poor prognosis. Of these three, embolism must invariably be considered as the manifestation of an underlying disease rather than as a separate primary disease process; therefore therapy must include measures intended to alleviate the primary pathological process.

The enumeration of materials which may form emboli is an unending task and includes everything from bubbles ¹ to bullets.² The following outline is representative of the variety of cerebral emboli which have been reported in the literature:

1. Thrombi

   1. Septic

   2. Bland

   3. Fibrin

2. Tissue fragment emboli, originating within the victim's body

   1. Tumors

      1. Myxoma of heart 3

      2. Small secondary tumor emboli

   2. Atheromatous material

   3. Valvular vegetations and calcifications

1. 1. Marrow particles

   2. Amniotic fluid

2. Foreign body emboli

   1. Air

   2. Fat and oil particles

   3. Chemicals, etc.

      1. Soap solutions