Complete recovery after spontaneous thrombolysis of a middle cerebral artery embolism: An imaging report

A 53-year-old-man demonstrated an embolism of the left middle cerebral artery, a rapid spontaneous thrombolysis and a subsequent recovery of the cerebral perfusion. These events were documented using MR angiography, perfusion-weighted MR imaging and digital subtraction angiography. The patient recovered consciousness and his symptoms of right hemiparesis and aphasia disappeared completely, representing the so-called spectacular shrinking deficit. This case provides evidence that an early spontaneous thrombolysis may recover cerebral perfusion and alleviate the symptoms of the patient.