Abstract

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation stroke (PCS), though less common, differs from stroke in anterior circulation in many aspects. Relatively, it portends a poorer prognosis. However, there is a paucity of data from African countries, in particular, where stroke is a menace. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the etiology, clinical characteristics, outcome, and predictors of outcome in a cohort of patients with IPCS in Northwestern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 595 patients with stroke, we prospectively analyzed 57 patients with PCS in a Tertiary Care Center in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. Patients were analyzed for demographic data, risk factors, clinical characteristics, stroke subtypes, mortality, and predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Posterior circulation ischemic stroke accounted for 57 (9.6%) of 595 of all strokes seen in the study period. They comprised 44 males (mean age 47.8 +/- 17.7) and 13 females (mean age 46.3 +/- 13.7). Overall, their age ranged between 24 and 90 (mean age 47.4 +/- 16.7). However, 52.7% of the patients were < 45 years of age. The most common site affected was the cerebellum seen in 33 (57.9%) patients. Hypertension was the most common risk factor (86%). Headache and vertigo were the most common features accounting for 83.6% and 86.3%, respectively. Thirty-eight (66.7%) patients had an ischemic stroke. Twenty-one (36.8%) of the patients died during the 1-month period of follow-up. Independent predictors of death in the study were hyperglycemia on admission and hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: IPCS occurred in a relatively younger age group. Headache and vertigo were the most common symptoms. The independent predictors of death in the study were hyperglycemia at presentation and hemorrhagic stroke.