Cerebral Infarction Diagnosis

A cerebral infarction, also referred to as a stroke or a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or decreased causing the death of brain cells. This condition is a medical emergency and early treatment minimizes damage and complications. A cerebral infarction is diagnosed based on risk factors, the presence of signs and symptoms, a physical examination and imaging tests.

Types

• The different types of strokes are ischemic, hemorrhagic and a transient ischemic attacks. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs due to a severely reduced blood flow caused by a blood clot or clogged artery. A hemorrhagic stroke is the result of a ruptured or leaking blood vessel in the brain. This type of stroke is caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure and aneurysms. A transient ischemic attack, also called a ministroke or TIA, is a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain and lasts only a few minutes.

Risks

• Risk factors of a stroke include being 55 years of age or older, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or homocysteine, cigarette smoking, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, personal or family history of a stroke or TIA, use of birth control or other hormone therapy, heavy alcohol use and the use of illicit drugs. According to the Mayo Clinic, women die of strokes more often than men and African Americans are more likely than other races to have a stroke.

Signs and Symptoms

• Signs and symptoms of a cerebral infarction include dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination, slurred speech, paralysis or numbness on one side of the body, blurred or double vision and a sudden, severe headache. Additional symptoms of a stroke include an unusual headache that can be accompanied by a stiff neck, pain between the eyes, facial pain, vomiting or unconsciousness. A TIA, which lasts for several minutes to 24 hours, is a potential sign of an impending stroke, but usually a stroke gives no warning.

Physical Examination

• A diagnosis of a cerebral infarction is based on risk factors, a physical examination to test your mental and physical status, a blood pressure check and questions related to the presence and duration of symptoms. Your physician may perform blood tests to check the levels of a complete blood count, cholesterol and homocysteine.

Imaging Tests

• Your physician may order imaging tests to diagnose a stroke. Imaging tests allow your physician to see your internal body structures. Imaging tests used to diagnose a stroke include a carotid ultrasound to show any narrowing in the carotid arteries, arteriography to produce X-ray images of the arteries, a computerized tomographic (CT) angiography, which provides a 3-D image of the blood vessels in the brain and neck, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which gives a 3-D view of the brain and an echocardiography, which produces images of your heart. Not all tests are indicated for every person. Your physician will determine the best test or a combination of tests for your situation.