Stroke – presentation and investigation **(eye thing to be re-explained) Flashcards
What is the definition of a stroke
Neurological deficit (‘loss of function’)of sudden onset, lasting more than 24 hours, of vascular origin
How long does a Transient Ischaemic Attack - precursor of a stroke
less that 24 hours
What is the symptoms of a stroke
Loss of power - motor weakness
Loss of sensation/feeling
Loss of speech
Loss of vision
Loss of coordination
What is the two different forms of loss of speech
Dysarthria - struggle to from the words
Dysphasia - struggle to find the words
What is the different loss of visions that can occur in a stroke
loss in one eye,
hemianopia - blindness over half the field of vision
Gaze palsy - symmetric limitation of the movements of both eyes in the same direction
What is the different forms of loss of coordination in a stroke
Ataxia - loss of all body movements
vertigo - sensation of loss of balance
incoordination - lack of coordination
nystagmus - rapid involuntary movements of the eye
What is the pathology of a stroke
damage to part of the brain due to a blockage of a blood vessel through thrombus or embolus or due to haemorrhage from a rupture blood vessel
What is the aetiologies of a stroke
85% infarction
15% haemorrhage
What is the anterior and posterior circulation joined by in the brain
circle of willis
What is the pathway of the anterior circulation in the brain
The internal carotid artery divides into the middle cerebral artery and the anterior cerebral artery which goes into the communicating artery
What is the pathway of the posterior circulation in the brain
The vertebral arteries join at the base of the brain to from the basilar artery then branch to from the superior cerebellar artery and posterior cerebral artery
What does the carotid system supply
most of the hemispheres - anterior and middle cerebral and cortical deep white matter
What does the vetero-bassilar system supply
supplies the posterior cerebral, the brain stem, cerebellum and occipital lobes
What is the problem of a small stroke occurring in an area of fibres being packed closely together
Causes major deficit
What does the symptoms of a stroke depend
Which part of the brain is affected
What is the different aetiologies of an ischaemic stroke
Large artery athlersclerosis
cardioembolic stroke
Lucunar stroke
Rarer causes