Neurology - Stroke Flashcards
What is a stroke?
A sudden interruption in the vascular supply of the brain, resulting in irreversible damage to neural tissue.
Types of stroke.
- ischaemic (85%)
- haemorrhagic (15%)
Subtypes of ischaemic stroke.
- thrombotic stroke (ie. thrombosis from large vessels)
- embolic stroke (atrial fibrillation is risk factor)
Risk factors for ischaemic stroke.
- age
- hypertension
- smoking
- hyperlipidaemia
- diabetes mellitus
- atrial fibrillation
Subtypes of haemorrhagic stroke.
- intracerebral haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain)
- subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding on the surface of the brain)
Risk factors for haemorrhagic stroke.
- age
- hypertension
- arteriovenous malformation
- anticoagulation therapy
Stroke by anatomy.
Anterior cerebral artery infarct.
Contralateral hemiparesis
Sensory loss (more pronounced in lower extremities)
Stroke by anatomy.
Middle cerebral artery infarct.
Contralateral hemiparesis
Sensory loss (more pronounced in upper extremities)
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia.
Aphasia.
Stroke by anatomy.
Posterior cerebral artery infarct.
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia (macula sparing)
Visual agnosia
Stroke by anatomy.
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarct.
Ipsilateral:
- facial pain
- temperature loss
Contralateral:
- limb / torso pain
- temperature loss
Ataxia / nystagmus
Stroke by anatomy.
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery.
Ipsilateral:
- facial paralysis / pain
- deafness
Contralateral:
- limb / torso pain
- temperature loss
Ataxia / nystagmus
Stroke by anatomy.
Basilar artery infarct.
Locked in syndrome:
The body and most of the facial muscles are paralysed, but consciousness remains.
Types of stroke (Oxford Stroke Classification)
- total anterior circulation infarcts (TACI)
- partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACI)
- posterior circulation infarcts (POCI)
- lacunar infarcts (LACI)
Features of TACI.
MCA and ACA affected, causing all of:
- contralateral hemiparesis
- contralateral homonymous hemianopia
- dysphasia
Features of PACI.
Branches of the ACA / MCA are affected, causing two of:
- contralateral hemiparesis
- contralateral homonymous hemianopia
- dysphasia
Features of POCI.
Vertebrobasilar arteries affected, causing one of:
- cerebellar or brainstem syndromes
- loss of consciousness
- contralateral homonymous hemianopia (macular sparing)
What areas of the brain do the lacunar arteries supply?
- internal capsule
- thalamus
- basal ganglia
Features of LACI.
Involves perforating arteries around the internal capsule, thalamus and basal ganglia, causing one of:
- unilateral weakness
- pure sensory stroke
- ataxic hemiparesis
Which symptoms of stroke are more suggestive of haemorrhagic stroke?
- reduced consciousness
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- seizure
BEFAST mnemonic for stroke.
Positive predictive value of 78%.
Imaging for stroke.
Non-contrast CT head scan is the first line investigation for a suspected stroke.
CT findings.
Ischaemic stroke.
- areas of low density
- hyperdense artery sign
CT findings.
Haemorrhagic stroke.
- hyperdense material (blood)
- oedema