 |
|
The symptoms of strokes and TIAs, the diagnostic procedures used for differential diagnosis and
the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are considered in this section.
The symptoms of stroke are sudden development of any of the following: numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg;
confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; trouble seeing; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination; or severe headache with no known cause. A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is defined as a brief
episode of stroke symptoms that resolve in 24 hours.
Diagnostic tests are needed to distinguish between the different types of stroke in order to assess the underlying
cause, the prognosis, and the most appropriate treatment. Such tests are also important as a basis for physiological
monitoring of patients, to identify concurrent diseases or complications, and to rule out other brain diseases.
Various diagnostic methods are used after acute stroke or suspected stroke, amongst which cranial computed tomography
is the most important. Magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound studies, electrocardiography and laboratory tests are
also used for diagnosis.
|
|
 |
|
© 2005 Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Germany. All rights reserved.
|
|
