Posterior Versus Anterior Circulation Infarction How Different Are the Neurological Deficits?

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2012-08, Vol.43 (8), p.2060-2065
• Main Authors: TAO, Wen-Dan, MING LIU, BO WU, FISHER, Marc, WANG, De-Ren, JIE LI, FURIE, Karen L, HAO, Zi-Long, SEN LIN, ZHANG, Cai-Fei, ZENG, Quan-Tao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebral Infarction - complications; Cerebral Infarction - pathology; Female; Glasgow Coma Scale; Hemianopsia - etiology; Hemiplegia - etiology; Horner Syndrome - etiology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Neurology; Neuropharmacology; Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmission. Receptors; Ophthalmoplegia - etiology; Paralysis - etiology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Predictive Value of Tests; Registries; Risk Factors; Sensation Disorders - etiology; Serotoninergic system; Stroke - etiology; Stroke - pathology; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.652420

Distinguishing between symptoms of posterior circulation infarction (PCI) and anterior circulation infarction (ACI) can be challenging. This study evaluated the frequency of symptoms/signs in the 2 vascular territories to determine the diagnostic value of particular symptoms/signs for PCI. Neurological deficits were reviewed and compared from 1174 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PCI or ACI confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging in the Chengdu Stroke Registry. The diagnostic value of specific symptoms/signs for PCI was determined by measuring their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and the OR. Homolateral hemiplegia (PCI, 53.6% versus ACI, 74.9%; P