1. MTB Step 3 - Stroke, TIA, & Arterial Lesions and Symptoms Flashcards
Cards Complete:
ETIOLOGY
What is the cause of Stroke and TIA?
Altered Cerebral Blood Flow
PRESENTATION
What are (4) common presenting Signs/Symptoms of Stroke & TIA?
Sudden Onset:
- Weakness on ONE side of the body
- Weakness on ONE side of the face
- +/- Aphasia
- +/- Partial or Total Loss of Vision, which may be Transient
PRESENTATION
How is a Stroke discriminated from a TIA?
- Stroke = permanent residual neurological deficits.
- TIA = NO permanent residual deficits
STROKE
What are the (2) Types of Stroke, and what are the percentages of each?
-
Ischemic = 80%
- Embolic - more sudden symptoms
- Thrombotic - less sudden symptoms
- Hemorrhagic = 20%
TIA
What is Amaurosis Fugax?
Transient Loss of Vision sometimes experienced along with Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs).
- This happens in TIA because the 1st branch of the Internal Carotid Artery is the Ophthalmic Artery
TIA
What is the ONLY cause of TIA, and what are its (2) types?
TIAs are Ischemic only (never hemorrhagic). The two types are:
- Embolic
- Thrombotic
SAMPLE QUESTION
“A 67-year old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes comes to the ED with a sudden onset of weakness in the right arm and leg over the last hour. On exam, he cannot lift the bottom half of the right side of his face.”
What is the Best INITIAL Step?
Head CT w/o contrast
Need to rule out Hemorrhagic stroke prior to treating with Thrombolytics, or even Aspirin.
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What are (4) Symptoms for an ANTERIOR CEREBRAL Artery Lesion?
- Profound Lower Extremity Weakness (contralateral to lesion)
- Mild Upper Extremity Weakness (contralateral to lesion)
- Personality Changes or Psychiatric Disturbances
- Urinary Incontinence
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What are (5) Symptoms for a MIDDLE CEREBRAL Artery Lesion?
- Profound Upper Extremity Weakness (contralateral to lesion)
- Aphasia
- Apraxia / Neglect
- The Eyes Deviate towards the same side as lesion
- Contralateral Homonymous Hemianopsia, with macular sparing.
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What is (1) Symptom of a POSTERIOR CEREBRAL Artery Lesion?
Prosopagnosia
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What are (8) Symptoms for a VERTEBROBASILAR Artery Lesion?
- Ataxia
- Bilateral findings
- “Drop Attack” - May be described as a Loss of Consciousness
- Dysarthria and Dystonia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensory changes in Face and Scalp
- Vertical Nystagmus
- Vertigo
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What are (3) Symptoms of a POSTERIOR INFERIOR CEREBELLAR Artery Lesion?
- Ipsilateral face
- Contralateral body
- Vertigo and Horner syndrome
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What are (6) Symptoms of a LACUNAR INFARCT?
- Absence of cortical deficits.
- Ataxia
- Bulbar signs
- Hemiparesis (most notable in the face)
- Parkinsonian signs
- Sensory deficits
ARTERIAL LESIONS
What is (1) Symptom of an OPHTHALMIC Artery Lesion?
Amaurosis Fugax
CEREBRAL VEIN THROMBOSIS
What is the Most Common Presenting Symptom for Cerebral Vein Thrombosis?
Headache
…developing over several days.
- This is why it can mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Many patients with CVT present with the same weakness and speech difficulty seen in stroke.