Stroke Flashcards
full diagnosis of a stroke should include?
type
size
laterality
cause
types of stroke
- haemorrhagic
- sub-arachnoid
- infarction
the different sizes of stroke
- total anterior
- partial anterior
- lacunar syndrome
- posterior
laterality of a stroke
which side of the brain is affected (dominant versus non-dominant)
causes of stroke
atheroembolic hypertension cardioembolic (AF) small vessel structural abnormality aneurysm tumour
total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS)
hemiplegia involving at least 2 of face, arm and leg
homonymous hemianopia
cortical signs (dysphasia, neglect)
partial anterior circulation syndrome (PACS)
2/3 of TACS or,
isolated cortical sign e.g. dysphasia
pure motor/ sensory signs (less severe than lacunar)
what is lacunar syndrome?
small infarcts in the deeper parts of the brain e.g. basal ganglia or brainstem
presentation of lacunar syndrome
affect 2 of face, arm and leg
posterior circulation syndrome (POCS)
cranial nerve palsy bilateral motor and/or sensory deficits conjugate eye movement disorders isolated homonymous hemianopia cortical blindness cerebellar deficits
what is affected if the dominant hemisphere has the stroke?
language
what is affected if the non-dominant hemisphere has the stroke?
spatial awareness (neglect= loss of awareness of one side of the body)
small vessel causes of stroke
sclerotic
amyloid
immune-mediated
vasculitis
how does a PFO cause a stroke?
clot in venous circulation can move into the arterial circulation
when should you consider PFO as stroke cause?
<55
no other cause identified
(can be a red herring as common)
