Contents:
- Medical Video: Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment
- Neurological examination
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
- Lumbar puncture
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Transcranial Doppler (TCD)
- Brain Angiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
- Ultrasound of the Leg
- Blood test
Medical Video: Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of stroke is generally not too complicated, but requires a combination of fast medical personnel, technology, and a little luck, so that all appropriate testing and treatment can be done. The following are some of the tests performed by doctors to diagnose stroke.
Neurological examination
This test is done to determine the decline in brain function that allows a person to have a stroke.
Each neurological examination session is performed on different parts of the brain, which include:
- Awareness or awareness
- Speech, language, and memory functions
- Vision and eye movements
- Sensation and movement of hands and feet
- Reflex motion
- Running ability and balance
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
This test is carried out in the emergency room to detect hemorrhagic strokes.
Scanning Computed Tomography (CT) is an effective way to find out this disease because besides being able to easily detect bleeding in the brain, this test can also do it quickly.
CT scans can also detect ischemic strokes, but within 6-12 hours after the event.
Lumbar puncture
Also known as "spinal tap", this test is sometimes carried out in emergency rooms if there is a strong tendency for hemorrhagic strokes from the results of CT scans that show unclear blood flow. This test is done by inserting a needle into the area under the spine which is safe enough to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This is one of the most helpful tests in the diagnosis of stroke because it can detect strokes within minutes after the occurrence of the event. The results of the description of the brain are even better when compared to CT scans. Therefore, MRI is the most chosen test for diagnosing stroke. A special type of MRI is called Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), which allows doctors to accurately visualize narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in the brain.
Transcranial Doppler (TCD)
This test uses sound waves to determine blood flow through the main blood vessels in the brain. Narrow blood vessel area shows blood flow faster than normal area. This information can be used by doctors to keep up with the development of blocked blood vessels.
Another important use of TCD is to control the vessels in the area around the occurrence of hemorrhagic strokes, where the blood vessels have a tendency to contract contraction of "vasospasm" which is harmful to the walls of blood vessels and can block blood flow.
Brain Angiography
Stroke doctors use this test to see blood vessels in the neck and brain. In this test, the doctor will inject a special dye into the carotid artery which can be seen using X-rays and the blood will automatically carry this substance to the brain. If the blood vessels are blocked either totally or partially, or there may be a disturbance in other blood vessels in the brain, there is no or only a few coloring agents that will be carried in the bloodstream which can be seen through this test.
The most common cause of stroke is narrowing of the carotid artery, carotid stenosis which is usually the result of cholesterol buildup along the blood vessel wall. This condition can also be diagnosed by a test called Karotid Duplex by using sound waves that flow through the blood vessels.
Based on the level of constriction and symptoms that are felt, surgery is needed to remove plaque from a blocked artery.
Brain angiography can also help doctors diagnose conditions associated with hemorrhagic strokes, namely aneurysms and anterior venous malformations.
After a stroke is diagnosed, a new test is needed to determine the cause of the stroke.
Electrocardiogram
This test, also known as an ECG or ECG, helps doctors identify problems related to electrical conduction of the heart. Usually, the heart beats in a regular rhythm, a rhythmic pattern that shows the smooth flow of blood to the brain and other organs. However, when the heart experiences interference in its electrical conduction, the heart will beat irregularly and this is the condition of arrhythmias, where the heartbeat is irregular.
Arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation can cause the formation of blood clots in the heart chambers. These blood clots can at any time move to the brain and cause strokes.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
This test, also known as the 'echo test', uses sound waves to look for blood clots or sources of embolism in the heart. In addition, it is also used to look for abnormalities in heart function that trigger blood clots to form in the heart chambers. The test is also used to investigate whether blood clots from the legs can move to the brain.
Ultrasound of the Leg
Doctors usually do this test in stroke patients diagnosed with the foramen ovale patent. This test uses sound waves to look for blood clots in the inner leg vein, the deep thrombotic vein (DVT). DVT can cause strokes. Initially, small fragments of DVT will be released and carried to the heart via venous circulation. After reaching the heart, a blood clot will pass from the right side to the left side of the heart via PFO, where the clot is pushed out through the aorta and the carotid artery towards the brain, which eventually causes a stroke.
Blood test
Blood tests can help doctors identify other diseases that might increase the risk of stroke, such as:
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Blood clotting disorders
