One of the most common stroke mimics is a seizure, which researchers believe account for as many as 20% of all stroke mimics. Other common stroke mimics include migraines, syncope, sepsis, brain tumor and metabolic derangement (low sodium or low blood sugar).
In the nation's emergency rooms, strokes are regularly misdiagnosed – about one in 10 cases, according to various published reports over the last decade. In many cases, the patient's mild, non-specific symptoms, such as a headache, vertigo, or inability to answer questions correctly, prompt a different diagnosis.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. A TIA usually lasts only a few minutes and doesn't cause permanent damage. Often called a ministroke, a TIA may be a warning.
There are several conditions that can cause symptoms similar to a stroke, known as stroke mimics. A seizure, high blood pressure and even migraine headaches can cause sudden numbness or weakness.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
Strokes may not be seen on a CT scan for several reasons. It can sometimes take several hours for the brain to appear abnormal after the onset of stroke. The affected region may also be a part of the brain that CT scans do not image well, such as the cerebellum or the brainstem.
Panic attacks are often confused with heart attacks or strokes. They share many of the same symptoms: Racing heart. Chest pains or tightness.
Blood tests for stroke. There is no blood test that can diagnose a stroke. However, in the hospital, your doctor or nurse may do a series of blood tests to learn the cause of your stroke symptoms: Complete blood count (CBC).
While doctors should always be on the lookout for the possibility of a stroke, many are not. In fact, a number of patients who suffer from strokes are misdiagnosed or their diagnoses are delayed before they can get the treatment they need.
Several key elements may help differentiate the stroke mimic from an actual stroke; these include the nature of the presenting complaint, certain epidemiological factors, timing of onset, the presence of signs or symptoms from the anterior vs. posterior cerebral circulation, and the choice of imaging modality.
Unlike a CT scan, which takes several hours to reveal any blockages of blood flow, an MRI can uncover any brain damage within an hour of the onset of the stroke symptoms.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan – CT scans use a series of X-rays to create a detailed image of your brain. A CT scan can show a hemorrhage, tumor, stroke and other conditions. There are different types of CT scans that your doctor may use depending on your situation.
If a stroke is suspected, a CT scan is usually able to show whether you have had an ischaemic stroke or a haemorrhagic stroke. It's generally quicker than an MRI scan and can mean you're able to receive appropriate treatment sooner.
This means it is completely possible to have a stroke without even noticing. However, the results of having a stroke can have a huge effect on a person's body, including permanent damage to the brain and brain cells.
The Fear of a stroke is a manifestation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder within the health concern subtype. This presents in a myriad of ways but is defined by OCD that is predicated on obsessive fears around having a stroke and the symptoms associated with this medical condition.
Rapid/Gradual Both panic attacks and strokes can come on somewhat rapidly, but strokes are almost always instant, while a panic attack generally peaks around 10 minutes in and then slowly fades. With a mini-stroke, the symptoms occur almost immediately. Any anxiety tends to come after.
Gliomas, meningiomas and hypophyseal adenomas are among the commonest primary tumors that may mimic a stroke. Metastatic lesions of the brain may have a similar presentation.
5 How- ever, earlier studies have shown that MRI may not detect acute strokes in 10-20% of patients. 4-6 Few clinical details of the false-negative cases were provided. Although several aspects of MRI techniques, computer software, and scan interpretations have been improved, false-negative MRI results may still occur.
Usually, a silent stroke is discovered unexpectedly on a brain CT or brain MRI. These imaging tests can easily distinguish past strokes from recent strokes.
Large haemorrhages remain visible as such for 2–3 weeks. There is no “optimal” time to image stroke patients with CT and expect to show a definite infarct. Many infarcts do not become visibly hypodense until hours or even a day after the stroke, if ever.
Yes, you can have a stroke and not know it. A stroke's effects can be undetectable if the stroke is small or if the tissue damaged does not serve a critical function. Evidence of the stroke would show on a CT scan or an MRI of the brain, but it might not produce symptoms.
A brain CT scan can show if there is bleeding in the brain or damage to the brain cells from a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of your brain. An MRI may be used instead of—or in addition to—a CT scan to diagnose a stroke.
Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding. Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination.