Stroke Flashcards
What is a CVA?
Cerebrovascular accident
Blood supply to part of the brain is cut off
What is a TIA?
Transient ischaemic attack
Similar to stroke but resolves in 24 hours
What are the types of stroke?
Ischaemic - thromboembolic
Haemorrhagic
What is the urgent investigation if we suspect a stroke?
CT head
What are the symptoms of an anterior cerebral artery infarct?
Unilateral contralateral weakness - leg>arm Sensory loss Urinary incontinence Apraxia Dysarthria
Why does urinary incontinence occur in an ACA infarct?
Paracentral lobules have a role in voluntary micturition
What is apraxia?
Inability to complete motor planning
What are the symptoms of a middle cerebral artery infarct?
Contralateral hemiparesis - upperbody/face Contralateral hemisensory loss Homonymous hemianopia Aphasia Hemispatial neglect
What is a subcortical stroke?
Obstruction of lenticulostriate arteries
What are the symptoms of a posterior cerebral artery infarct?
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macula sparing
What are the symptoms of a cerebellar infarct?
Non-specific symptoms
Ipsilateral cerebellar signs
Ipsilateral brainstem signs
What are the symptoms of a brainstem infarct?
Contralateral ascending/descending tract signs
Ipsilateral cranial nerve signs
What are the symptoms of a distal basilar infarct?
Visual + oculomotor defects
Behaviour abnormalities
Hallucinations + dreamlike behaviour
What are the symptoms of a proximal basilar infarct?
Complete loss of movement
Preserved consciousness
Preserved eye movements
What is TACS?
Total anterior circulation stroke
What are the signs of a TACS?
All 3
- unilateral weakness of face, arm + leg
- homonymous hemianopia
- higher cerebral dysfunction
What is PACS?
Partial anterior circulation stroke
What are the signs of a PACS?
2 of
- unilateral weakness of face, arm + leg
- homonymous hemianopia
- higher cerebral dysfunction
What is POCS?
Posterior circulation stroke
What are the signs of a POCS?
1 of
- cranial nerve palsy + contralateral motor/sensory deficit
- bilateral motor/sensory deficit
- conjugate eye movement disorder
- cerebellar dysfunction
- isolated homonymous hemianopia with macula sparing
What is LACS?
Lacunar syndrome
What are the signs of a LACS?
1 of
- pure sensory deficit
- pure motor deficit
- sensori-motor deficit
- ataxic hemiparesis
What blood vessels are involved in a TACS?
Proximal MCA OR ICA
What blood vessels are involved in a PACS?
Branch of MCA
