How is posterior circulation stroke diagnosed?

HINTS Testing. HINTS testing is a three-part examination that consists of head impulse testing, nystagmus assessment, and test of skew. This test is the gold standard for diagnosis of posterior circulation strokes, as its sensitivity is higher than any imaging modality in the first 24-48 hours after symptom onset.

What is a posterior cerebral artery infarct?

Posterior cerebral artery infarcts result in contralateral homonymous hemianopia and contralateral hemisensory loss. There may be some disturbance of higher function, such as altered memory or speech or cortical blindness.

What is the most common posterior stroke symptom?

Common Symptoms of Posterior Circulation Stroke Common presenting symptoms of PC stroke include vertigo, imbalance, unilateral limb weakness, slurred speech, double vision, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Exam findings include unilateral limb weakness, gait ataxia, limb ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus.

What are the 5 D’s of posterior stroke?

Classically, the “Five D’s” were used to describe the signs and symptoms of a posterior stroke: dizziness, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia, dystaxia. Additionally, you can have motor and/or sensory deficits, which mimic an anterior circulation stroke.

What causes posterior cerebral artery stroke?

The most common causes of PCA strokes include atherosclerosis, small artery disease and embolism 5.

What happens if the posterior cerebral artery is damaged?

Posterior cerebral artery syndrome is a condition whereby the blood supply from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is restricted, leading to a reduction of the function of the portions of the brain supplied by that vessel: the occipital lobe, the inferomedial temporal lobe, a large portion of the thalamus, and the …

What is the treatment for a posterior stroke?

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a standard treatment for both anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACIS) and posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS). Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA, alteplase) was licensed for the first time in 1996 in North America for intravenous use within 3 h.

Can you recover from a posterior stroke?

Mortality associated with isolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke is low; therefore, the prognosis is generally good. Visual field deficits improve to varying degrees; however, they may be permanent and associated with morbidity.

What areas of the brain can be affected when a patient is having a posterior stroke?

PCA strokes can restrict the blood supply of multiple brain regions, including the occipital lobe, the inferomedial temporal lobe, a large portion of the thalamus, and the upper brainstem and midbrain.

What type of stroke is lacunar infarct?

What is lacunar infarct? Lacunar stroke is a type of ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow to one of the small arteries deep within the brain becomes blocked. A stroke occurs when a blockage interrupts or prevents blood flow to the brain.