Description
The specimen consists of a segment of brain sliced in the coronal plane. The section has been
taken somewhat anterior to the Circle of Willis. There is pronounced swelling of the right
hemisphere with a central area of softening that involves the wall of the lateral ventricle, internal
capsule, basal ganglia and white matter of the parietal lobe. The area of infarction is in the
distribution of the right middle cerebral artery.
History
The patient was admitted for coronary artery vein grafting and had a history of
hypertension. Postoperatively he was noted to be paralysed on the right side. His level of
consciousness deteriorated and a CT scan showed a recent rightsided cerebral infarct. Death was
due to brain stem compression, secondary to cerebral oedema.