Atrial myxoma embolization of the basilar artery presenting with a convulsive seizure: Case report

BACKGROUND: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a rare cause of convulsive seizure. Such patients who are treated for epilepsy will miss the optimal time for treatment. Atrial myxoma is a rare cause of stroke and should be surgically removed as soon as possible after diagnosis. CASE SUMMARY: We report a patient who presented with convulsions as the initial symptom and was diagnosed with BAO by computed tomographic angiography. After transthoracic echocardiogram, the cause of the disease was diagnosed as atrial myxoma. The patient recovered well after endovascular treatment and resection of the atrial myxoma. CONCLUSION: A small number of patients with BAO present with convulsive seizures. It is very important to make a timely diagnosis. Direct thrombaspiration may be the best choice for basilar artery cardioembolization, and thrombectomy for distal moderate vascular occlusion in posterior circulation is feasible. Atrial myxoma is a rare cause of cardioembolic stroke and should be resected as soon as possible to prevent further embolic complications.