21/01/2021
Causes of acute stroke in young patients with preferred investigation
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Cerebral infarct
Cardiac embolism-- Echocardiography (including transoesophageal)
Premature atherosclerosis -- Serum lipids
Arterial dissection -- MRI, CTA
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes -- MRI, CTA
Thrombophilia -- Protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, Factor V Leiden, prothrombin
Homocystinuria -- Urinary amino acids, Methionine loading test
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome -- Anticardiolipin antibodies/ lupus anticoagulant
Systemic lupus erythematosus -- ANA
Vasculitis (e.g. primary angiitis of the central nervous system) --- ESR, CRP, ANCA
CADASIL- MRI brain, Genetic analysis, Skin biopsy
CARASIL -- MRI brain , Genetic analysis, Skin biopsy
Mitochondrial cytopathy -- Serum lactate, White cell mitochondrial DNA, Muscle biopsy, Mitochondrial molecular genetics
Fabry’s disease -- Alpha-galactosidase levels
Sickle cell disease -- Sickle cell studies
Neurovascular syphilis -- Syphilis serology
Primary intracerebral haemorrhage
AVM --- MRI/MRA
Drug misuse --- Drug screen (amphetamine, co***ne)
Coagulopathy --- PT and APTT, Platelet count
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Saccular (‘berry’) aneurysm --- MRI/MRA
AVM --- MRI/MRA
Vertebral dissection --- MRI/MRA