Intracranial Embolism

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Intracranial Embolism

Migration of foreign material to the intracranial components of the nervous system via arterial pathways. Emboli most frequently are of cardiac origin and are associated with ARRHYTHMIA; mural thrombi; ENDOCARDITIS, SUBACUTE BACTERIAL; HEART VALVE DISEASES; and HEART SEPTAL DEFECTS. Noncardiac sources include lesions of the aorta, carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, and intracranial arteries. Emboli may be composed of thrombosed platelets, atherosclerotic debris, fat, air, tumor cells, or infectious materials, and may cause CEREBRAL INFARCTION. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp824-6)