Frontiers of neurology and neuroscience
-
Pontine infarcts are often part of a large ischemia involving the brainstem, although infarcts may be restricted to the pons. In both cases, infarcts in the pons are characterized by interesting clinical patterns resulting from a variety of cranial nerve dysfunctions, eye movement disorders and motor, sensory and cerebellar manifestations, either isolated or in combination. ⋯ Penetrating branch artery disease is the most common etiology. Ten percent of all intracerebral hemorrhages are located in the pons, and small hemorrhages in this brainstem structure may, in some instances, give rise to unusual clinical manifestations.
-
Delirium is one of the most serious and common complications that up to one third of older patients admitted to hospital develop. It is characterized by a disturbance of consciousness, decreased attention, and disorganized thinking that develops over a short period of time, and fluctuates during the course of the day. Delirium post-stroke prevalence ranges from 13 to 48% in general hospitals, and from 10.1 to 28% in Stroke Units. ⋯ Delirium without other signs of stroke has been reported more often after right-sided than after left-sided lesions. Age, cognitive decline, and multiple coexisting conditions are the most consistent and important risk factors for delirium post-stroke. Haloperidol is currently used as the drug of choice, if sedation is needed.
-
The caudate nucleus (CN) is composed of a head, body and tail. The head of the CN contributes to forming the floor of the lateral ventricle frontal horn. Moreover, the head, which is medially separated by the septum pellucidum extends beyond the anterior part of the thalamus, stroking the telencephalic cortex. ⋯ CN strokes are classified into hemorrhagic and ischemic. The clinical presentation of CN hemorrhage is often characterized by a clinical presentation mimicking subarachnoid hemorrhage, while clinical features of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes included behavioral abnormalities dysarthria, movement disorders, language disturbances and memory loss. Most studies to date that have examined vascular CN pathologies have evidenced good outcomes.
-
The term post-stroke dementia (PSD) is used to define any dementia occurring after stroke irrespective if the leading cause is vascular, degenerative or mixed. PSD is a frequent condition after stroke and its prevalence ranges from 6 to 32%. ⋯ There is an urgent need to find sensitive tools to detect post-stroke cognitive impairment as early as possible. The detection of cognitive impairment in the acute phase of stroke can offer valid information to the clinician on whether to set an early cognitive rehabilitation and to plan a more focused follow-up.