Question

A 67-year-old male patient arrives in the emergency department complaining of progressively worsening bouts of right leg weakness. His wife notes that he is confused and often has trouble forming words at these times, which typically last about a day. The right leg weakness improves only slightly from instance to instance, leaving him weaker each time. Because the symptoms are transient, he has put off seeing a physician until now. His wife is worried that he might be having a stroke. He reports having smoked a pack of cigarettes each day for 45 years.

What tests might the ED physician order to arrive at a diagnosis?

What are the possible diagnoses, and which is most likely?

What surgical procedure will be scheduled?

Answer 1

1. ANSWER: Computed topography (CT scan) can be done to the patient to confirm the diagnosis. CT scan can show if there is any bleeding points or damage to the brain cells.

2. ANSWER: The possible diagnosis would be transient ischemic attack or also called mini stroke as the symptoms are transient would be more likely and other possible diagnosis may include ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, Meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage.

3. ANSWER: Carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty can be the possible surgical procedure that can be done to this patient to prevent the further attack of stroke.