Mechanical Thrombectomy in Cases of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Occlusion (with or without Vertebral Artery Occlusion): A Case Series

Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) occlusion (with or without vertebral artery occlusion) may result in severe disability and even mortality. Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for PICA occlusion (with or without vertebral artery occlusion) between 2021 and 2023 were included in the study. All five patients who underwent MT were male, aged between 45 and 68 years, with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores ranging from 3 to 10. The successful recanalization rate in our cases with PICA occlusion was 60%. As the MT technique, an isolated stent retriever was used in two cases, and a combined technique was used in three cases. Retrograde approach (via asymptomatic vertebral artery) was used in two cases, and an anterograde approach was used in three cases. Two cases had isolated PICA occlusion, and three cases had PICA occlusion with vertebral artery involvement. MT is a treatment option that should be considered in PICA occlusions causing severe disability.