ISCHEMIC STROKE OF THE BRAINSTEM WITH INVOLVEMENT OF THE OCULOMOTOR NERVE NUCLEUS AS A MANIFESTATION OF A PERSISTENT FORAMEN OVALE A CASE REPORT OF A 40-YEAR-OLD PATIENT

Krystyna Klahs; Kaja Nieradka; Maciej Muraszko-Kuźma; Patryk Twardy; Weronika Wagner; Jakub Białożyt; Anna Dębniak; Maciej Gutarowicz; Patryk Modelewski; Michał Armatys

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5731

Authors

Krystyna Klahs Independent Public Specialist Health Care Facility in Lębork, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7747-6854
Kaja Nieradka Clinical Provincial Hospital of Saint Jadwiga the Queen in Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4373-3726
Maciej Muraszko-Kuźma District Hospital in Limanowa of the Name of Divine Mercy, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4812-1493
Patryk Twardy Clinical Provincial Hospital of Saint Jadwiga the Queen in Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5510-3545
Weronika Wagner Clinical Provincial Hospital of Saint Jadwiga the Queen in Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0269-0418
Jakub Białożyt University Clinical Hospital No. 2 PUM in Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2721-6694
Anna Dębniak University Clinical Hospital No. 2 PUM in Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8511-3912
Maciej Gutarowicz Independent Public Provincial Hospital in Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5139-3756
Patryk Modelewski University Clinical Hospital No. 2 PUM in Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0682-4901
Michał Armatys UNO-MED Medical Center, Tarnów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9647-8091

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5731

Keywords:

Patent Foramen Ovale, Stroke, Young Patient, Transesophageal Echocardiography, Prevention

Abstract

Aim: In our work, we want to emphasize the clinical importance of patent foramen ovale. It’s a potential cause of stroke in young patients without classic vascular risk factors. We want to feature the significance of transesophageal echocardiography in detecting foramen ovale and preventing stroke.

Methods: We present a case of a young patient diagnosed with an atrial septal defect consistent with patent foramen ovale. Clinical presentation and diagnostic findings were analyzed, with particular attention to imaging modalities used in the evaluation of stroke etiology.

Results: Patent foramen ovale, although asymptomatic, may lead to serious embolic complications, including stroke. In young patients without traditional risk factors, without showing any visible symptoms, the condition may cause serious damage. The use of transesophageal echocardiography significantly improves detection of interatrial shunts and allows for accurate diagnosis of structural cardiac abnormalities and prevention of stroke in young patients.

Conclusions: Incorporating transesophageal echocardiography into the diagnostic workup of young patients prevents embolism from the foramen ovale. This approach can facilitate timely implementation of preventive strategies, including interventional closure, thereby reducing the risk of recurrent ischemic events, and should be added to screening protocols.

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