Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

Aortic dissection presenting as an acute ischemic stroke for thrombolysis.

Uchino K, Estrera A, Calleja S, Alexandrov AV, Garami Z

Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, TX, USA. uchinok@upmc.edu

Thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke requires careful selection of patients. The authors report a case of aortic dissection presenting with acute ischemic stroke for which emergent ultrasonographic evaluation was helpful in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The patient presented with acute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke symptoms and complained of bilateral ear and chest pain. Chest x-ray, cardiac enzymes, and transthoracic echocardiogram were normal, and she was considered for thrombolytic therapy. Carotid ultrasound revealed right common carotid occlusion that led to the diagnosis of aortic dissection, confirmed by chest computed tomography. An experienced sonographer with skills to perform rapid intra- and extracranial examinations may help to change the treatment plan for acute stroke patients.

Published 13 June 2005 in J Neuroimaging, 15(3): 281-3.
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