Significant period between presentation and diagnosis in basilar artery occlusion: five cases and the lessons learned.

Basilar artery occlusion remains a challenging pathological process. Time delay between presentation and diagnosis and treatment can be associated with poor outcome, but the low frequency and variable presentation in BAO makes rapid diagnosis difficult. Clinicians should maintain an index of suspicion for basilar artery occlusion in patients of any age who present with focal neurological symptoms that could be referable to the basilar artery. Timely vessel imaging is critical for the diagnosis and initiation of treatment in these patients.