THE ROLE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY BRAIN SCAN IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE STROKE IN THE ELDERLY

In order to document the frequency with which nonvascular pathology may mimic stroke syndromes in the elderly, we prospectively studied 100 such admissions to a geriatric unit. Of 81 patients evaluated with computed tomography (CT) brain scan or autopsy only one patient with tumour (1.2%) was identi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Age and ageing 1987-09, Vol.16 (5), p.319-322
Main Authors: O'BRIEN, PATRICK A., RYDER, DERMOT O., TWOMEY, CILLIAN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Cerebrovascular Disorders - diagnostic imaging
Female
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:In order to document the frequency with which nonvascular pathology may mimic stroke syndromes in the elderly, we prospectively studied 100 such admissions to a geriatric unit. Of 81 patients evaluated with computed tomography (CT) brain scan or autopsy only one patient with tumour (1.2%) was identified and this case is discussed fully. Nineteen patients did not have a CT scan or autopsy, though their presentation and clinical course was consistent with vascular pathology. This paper stresses the importance of documenting a comprehensive history and of regular clinical assessment of patients to identify atypical features which would alert the physician to consider nonvascular pathology. The incidence of nonvascular pathology presenting as stroke in the elderly is low. We conclude that CT brain scan is not indicated in the diagnosis of stroke in patients presenting to a geriatric unit.
ISSN:0002-0729
1468-2834
DOI:10.1093/ageing/16.5.319