pica artery

[mary4cats]

My husband was just released from the stroke unit, after 4 days of conflicting information. Finally, a MRA with contrast was done, and they found that the pica artery was occluded. This was the reason for the imbalance he was experiencing, and the sudden onset of a severe headache. It was determined that he had a small stroke. My question is, ( because I couldn't get a straight answer from the team of interns in this big city, teaching hospital...) how long it would take for him to recover and regain his balance, and lose the numbing sensation in his face. Also, how serious is it for the pica artery to be occluded, and how will it effect him ? He also has the headaches. What is up with that ? He is walking without assistance, but staggering to the left. He has strong muscle control.
Thanks, Mary

[mary4cats]

Thank you so much for your response. My husband certainly needs to make lifestyle changes. What is the best diet for him to be on, and what preventive medications...? He is a construction worker, and could cut himself very easily, so we worry about blood thinners. He is a type 2 diabetic, and we have tried to stay on a low fat, low salt, low sugar diet, but he has not always been dedicated to it.
He had a similiar incident 4 years ago, but a contrast MRI showed nothing abnormal. They thought it was labyrinthitis....he was dizzy and staggering then as well. I hope this will not happen again. Do the statistics indicate that the other arteries in the brain will occlude, once one has, or can it be an isolated incident ?
Thanks again, and I won't make a pest of myself with numerous posts. Mary

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The improvement is decided by two factors, the size of the infarct caused by the occlusion of the PICA, and the location of the infarct. Some patients recover within a few weeks to months, while some take years to recover.

Since you have mentioned that he was diagnosed to have a small stroke, I would guess He will take few weeks to months to recover.

PICA occlusion generally is not very serious, but it is disabling, at least for a few months. He will have to make lifestyle changes to avoid further attacks of the occlusion.

The headache and the imbalance will gradually go as he recovers from this PICA syndrome.

Regards