Stroke Anatomy

Question 1

Total anterior circulation stroke: Which artery(s) and what features?

Answer 1

Middle cerebral artery AND anterior cerebral artery

All three of -
Unilateral hemiparesis
Homonymous hemianopia
Higher cognitive dysfunction

Question 2

Partial anterior circulation stroke: Which artery(s) and what features?

Answer 2

Middle cerebral artery OR anterior cerebral artery

Only 2 of the following -
Unilateral hemiparesis
Homonymous hemianopia
Higher cognitive dysfunction

Question 3

Lacunar stroke: what are the features?

Answer 3

1 of the following -
Unilateral weakness (pure motor stroke)
Pure sensory stroke
Ataxic hemiparesis - ipsilateral weakness/clumsiness

Question 4

Posterior circulation stroke: Which artery(s) and what features?

Answer 4

Vertebrobasilar arteries

1 of the following-
Cerebellar/brainstem syndrome
Loss of consciousness
Isolated homonymous hemianopia

Question 5

Partial anterior circulation stroke- how can. you tell if it’s the middle or anterior cerebral artery?

Answer 5

Anterior cerebral artery affects legs more than arms

Middle cerebral artery affects arms more than legs

Question 6

How does a posterior cerebral artery stroke present?

Answer 6

Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing

Question 7

What is Weber’s syndrome?

Answer 7

Stroke of branches of the posterior cerebral artery

Ipsilateral third nerve palsy

Contralateral hemiparesis

Question 8

What is Wallenberg syndrome? What features does it present with?

Answer 8

AKA Lateral medullary syndrome

Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke

Ipsilateral facial pain+temperature loss

Contralateral limb/torso pain+temperature loss

Ataxia, nystagmus

Question 9

What is lateral pontine syndrome? What features does it present with?

Answer 9

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke

Ipsilateral facial pain+temperature loss
Ipsilateral facial paralysis
Ipsilateral deafness

Contralateral limb/torso pain+temperature loss

Question 10

How does a stroke of the ophthalmic artery present?

Answer 10

Amarousis fugax

Question 11

How does a stroke of the basilar artery present?

Answer 11

Locked in syndrome (complete paralysis except for the eyes)