Stroke Flashcards
Cerebellar stroke - pathophysiology
Circulation to the cerebellum is impaired due to a lesion of:
- the superior cerebellar artery,
- anterior inferior cerebellar artery or
- the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (also known as lateral medullary syndrome)
Features of cerebellar stroke?
It may present similarly to vestibular neuritis
- vertical nystagmus
- patients can’t stand without support - even with eyes open
What is vertical nystagmus suggestive of?
A CENTRAL cause of vertigo
Criteria of Total anterior circulation infarct
- unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
- homonymous hemianopia
- higher cognitive dysfunction e.g. dysphasia
involves middle and anterior cerebral arteries
all 3 of the above criteria are present
Criteria of Partial anterior circulation infarcts
involves smaller arteries of anterior circulation e.g. upper or lower division of middle cerebral artery
2 of the criteria are present
- unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
- homonymous hemianopia
- higher cognitive dysfunction e.g. dysphasia
Criteria of lacunar infarcts
involves perforating arteries around the internal capsule, thalamus and basal ganglia
presents with 1 of the following:
- unilateral weakness (and/or sensory deficit) of face and arm, arm and leg or all three.
- pure sensory stroke.
- ataxic hemiparesis
Most commonly presents as a pure MOTOR HEMIPARESIS, pure SENSORY stroke
SENSOTIMOTOR stroke
ATAXIC hemiparesis or dysarthria/clumsy hand syndrome
Criteria of posterior circulation infarcts
involves vertebrobasilar arteries presents with 1 of the following: 1. cerebellar or brainstem syndromes 2. loss of consciousness 3. isolated homonymous hemianopia
Lateral medullary syndrome?
(posterior inferior cerebellar artery)
aka Wallenberg’s syndrome
ipsilateral: ataxia, nystagmus, dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
contralateral: limb sensory loss
Weber’s syndrome
type of stroke midbrain stroke syndrome ipsilateral III palsy - diplopia; ptosis; afferent pupillary defect contralateral weakness (contralateral hemiplegia)
Indications a stroke is ischaemic rather than haemorrhagic?
Carotid bruit
previous TIA
atrial fibrillation
ischaemic heart disease
What is the ROSIER score
A variant of the FAST screening tool which is useful for medical professionals
What is incorporated in the ROSIER score
Loss of consciousness or syncope = - 1 point
Seizure activity = - 1 point
New, acute onset of: • asymmetric facial weakness = + 1 point • asymmetric arm weakness= + 1 point • asymmetric leg weakness = + 1 point • speech disturbance = + 1 point • visual field defect = + 1 point A stroke is likely if >0.
What is the first investigation fro a suspected stroke ?
A NON contrast CT head scan
DVLA - stroke or TIA
1 month off driving, may not need to inform DVLA if no residual neurological deficit
DVLA - multiple TIAs
3 months off driving and inform DVLA
Management of a TIA
Immediate antithrombotic therapy:
give ASPIRIN 300 mg immediately, unless:
1. the patient has a bleeding disorder or is taking an anticoagulant (needs immediate admission for imaging to exclude a haemorrhage)
2. the patient is already taking low-dose aspirin regularly: continue the current dose of aspirin until reviewed by a specialist
3. Aspirin is contraindicated: discuss management urgently with the specialist team
If patient has had more than 1 TIA, or a cardioembolic source or severe carotid stenosis…
(Crescendo TIA)
Discuss the need for admission or observation urgently with a stroke specialist
If the patient has had a suspected TIA in the last 7 days…
Arrange urgent assessment (within 24 hours) by a specialist stroke physician
Advise the person not to drive until they have been seen by a specialist.