“Under the age of 50, most stroke mimics are migraines, epilepsy, seizures, multiple sclerosis or high blood pressure that causes swelling in the brain,” he said. “Over the age of 50, most patients experiencing a stroke mimic are the result of epilepsy, metabolic derangement or a mass lesion in the brain.”
Overview. 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.
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.
In various studies, the most common stroke mimics include brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas, and adenomas are the most common ones) (4), toxic or metabolic disorders (such as hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia, uremia, hepatic encephalopathy, hyperthyroidism, thyroid storm (4-6), infectious disorders (e.g. ...
“A lot of the time a brain tumor is mistaken for a stroke,” said Jensen. “That's how it presents: as a new onset of a seizure or a new deficiency like a numb arm or leg.” The lateral nature of symptoms observed in stroke patients is also often seen in patients with brain tumors.
Usually, the first sign of a brain tumor is a headache, generally in conjunction with other symptoms.
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.
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.
Psychogenic pseudostroke (PS) is when symptoms are suggestive of a stroke, but in reality, of psychogenic origin. Most neurologists have encountered a case of such nature. However, specific information regarding its prevalence and management is scarce.
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.
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.
During a silent stroke, an interruption in blood flow destroys areas of cells in a part of the brain that is "silent," meaning that it doesn't control any vital functions. Although the damage will show up on an MRI or CT scan, it's too small to produce any obvious symptoms.
Panic attacks are often confused with heart attacks or strokes. They share many of the same symptoms: Racing heart. Chest pains or tightness.
The strokes not detected by MRI were clinically localized to the cortex (n = 3), brain stem (n = 3), and subcortical/lacunar area (n = 1). One patient underwent two MRI scans, one with gadolinium. Conclusions: These cases, while selected, illustrate some potential limitations of MRI for diagnosing stroke.
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.
Epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most frequent stroke mimics. Some symptoms, such as headaches, involuntary movements, incontinence or postictal confusion, may be helpful pointers against stroke.
Transient hypoglycemia is well known to produce a stroke-like picture with hemiplegia and aphasia. [2,3,4] Hypoglycemia-induced hemiplegia usually resolves immediately with the administration of intravenous glucose.
In a recent study, 1361 patients presenting within 4.5 h with sudden onset symptoms suspected of being a stroke were imaged with MRI. Mimics were diagnosed in 38% of patients admitted as acute stroke. Migraine, functional (conversion disorder), seizures and vertigo were the most common mimic diagnosis [56].
Nerve tingling can be the sign of a stroke, but it also may be the sign of a condition called neuropathy, a condition involving damage or dysfunction of the nerves. While stroke and neuropathy share some symptoms, it is important to know that a stroke is a medical emergency while neuropathy is not.
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.
Some of the more common signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors include the following: Headaches. Seizures. Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words.
Imaging tests.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to help diagnose brain tumors. Sometimes a dye is injected through a vein in your arm during your MRI study.
Some brain tumours such as pituitary gland, pineal region and germ cell tumours can change the levels of certain hormones and chemicals in your body. You may have blood tests to check for specific hormones and markers to help diagnose a brain tumour.