Everyone with suspected stroke should have a brain scan within 1 hour of arriving at hospital if possible. An early brain scan is especially important for people who: might benefit from medicine to clear blood clots (thrombolysis), such as alteplase or early anticoagulant treatment.
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.
Any irregularities or causes for concern show up in a CT scan approximately six to eight hours after the onset of the first signs of a stroke. During a CT scan, the patient may be intravenously injected with dyes, which will highlight any abnormal areas in the scan, giving doctors a clearer view of the head.
Symptoms. Most ischemic strokes occur rapidly, over minutes to hours, and immediate medical care is vital. If you notice one or more of these signs in another person or in yourself, do not wait to seek help. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Standard MRI images (T1 and T2) are good at detecting vasogenic edema that is present in the subacute phase of stroke and is seen at greater than 24 hours to several days.
An MRI can sometimes show the site of the TIA, especially if it's done soon after it happens. But this is not the main way that a TIA is diagnosed.
Evidence of a stroke can be visible on an MRI even decades later. The brain changes and does not look the way it did before a stroke.
You likely won't know for certain that you have suffered a silent stroke without receiving a brain scan like an MRI or CT scan. After a silent stroke, a brain scan can show small white spots that indicate the presence of lesions.
During the first few days after your stroke, you might be very tired and need to recover from the initial event. Meanwhile, your team will identify the type of stroke, where it occurred, the type and amount of damage, and the effects. They may perform more tests and blood work.
Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not. You may have an angiogram, CT angiogram, or MR angiogram to see which blood vessel is blocked or bleeding.
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.
Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision. Vertigo or loss of balance or coordination.
Computed tomography (CT) scan.
A CT scan uses X-rays to take pictures of the brain. A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells.
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. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRIs can be used to detect brain tissue damaged by an ischemic stroke or brain hemorrhages.
Your doctor then will need to do blood tests and imaging tests to figure out which type of stroke you might have had. The most common kind is called ischemic stroke. Almost 90% of people who have a stroke have this, and it happens when a clot blocks blood flow.
Because the cause of a stroke and the amount of damage it causes in the brain vary widely, there's no “typical” duration of a stroke. Some strokes last for a few minutes while others continue for hours or even days.
Some of the most common stroke mimics are seizures, migraine, fainting, serious infections and functional neurological disorder (FND). Once the person is diagnosed, they can have treatment or support to manage their symptoms.
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).
Results of the study show standard MRI is superior to standard CT in detecting acute stroke and particularly acute ischemic stroke. The four readers were unanimous in their agreement on the presence or absence of acute stroke in 80 percent of patients using MRI compared to 58 percent using non-contrast CT.
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.
Our study has revealed that according to neurologists, the most consistent predictors for a diagnosis of TIA include negative symptoms (loss of motor, sensory, or visual function) and speech disturbance.
When people use the term "ministroke," they're referring to a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a brief blockage of blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye known as the retina. This blockage may cause temporary stroke-like symptoms.
Other possible symptoms
sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision. vertigo. being sick.