Stroke- Types Of Stroke And Presentations

Question 1

What causes an ischemic stroke, and what % is the prevalence?

Answer 1

A blockage within a blood vessel

87%

Question 2

What causes a haemorrhagic stroke, and what is the % prevalence?

Answer 2

A rupture of a blood vessel

13%

Question 3

What 4 things may cause an ischemic stroke?

Answer 3

• Embolism (blockage somewhere in body)
• Thrombosis (blockage in a cerebral vessel)
• Systematic hypoperfusion (blood supply to whole brain is blocked e.g during cardiac arrest)
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (blockage in brain draining veins = Venus congestion/tissue hypoxia)

Question 4

What 2 subcategories of haemorrhagic stroke are there?

Answer 4

• Intracerbral (bleeding within brain after a rupture)

- Subarachnoid (bleeding in body vessel outside brain)

Question 5

What areas of the brain do the ACA supply?

Answer 5

Anteromedial

Question 6

What areas of the brain do the MCA supply?

Answer 6

Lateral

Question 7

What areas of the brain do the PCA supply?

Answer 7

Posterior, some medial and some lateral

Question 8

What is a TACS, what areas are affected and what is the presentation?

Answer 8

Total Anterior Circulation Stroke

Areas of brain supplied by both ACA and MCA

All 3 of these need to be present

• unilateral weakness of face, arm and leg
• homonymous hemianopia (vision loss in 1 side of right and left eye)
• higher cerebral dysfunction (L=dysphasia, R=visuspatial disorder)

Question 9

What is a PACS, what areas are affected and what is the presentation?

Answer 9

Partial Anterior Circulation Stroke

Less severe stroke than TACS, same areas of brain (supplied by ACA and MCA)

2 of the 3 presentations of TACS (unilateral weakness of face, arm and leg; homonymous hemianopia; higher cerebral dysfunction)

Question 10

What is a POCS, what areas of the brain are affected, and what are the presentations?

Answer 10

Posterior Circulation Syndrome

Areas of brain supplied by PCA

1 of the following:

• cranial nerve palsy + a contralateral motor/sensory deficit
• bilateral motor/sensory deficit
• conjugate eye movement disorder
• cerebellar dysfunction (e.g. vertigo, nystagmus, ataxia)

Question 11

What is a LACS, what areas of the brain are affected, and what is the presentation?

Answer 11

Lacunar Stroke

Subcortical stroke (i.e. in brain)

1 of the following:

• pure sensory stroke
• pure motor stroke
• sensory-motor stroke