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stroke

Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on stroke.

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A 70-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. He has a history of hypertension and is currently on antihypertensive medication. On examination, he is drowsy and has a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg. A CT scan of the brain shows a hyperdense area in the right basal ganglia. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Intracerebral hemorrhage
B. Ischemic stroke
C. Migraine with aura
D. Transient ischemic attack
E. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 72-year-old woman with a history of well-controlled hypertension presents with sudden-onset headache and vomiting. Neurological exam reveals mild neck stiffness but is otherwise normal. A CT angiogram reveals a posterior communicating artery aneurysm, which was subsequently coiled. The image shows a post-coiling angiogram. 24 hours post-procedure, she develops worsening headache and new-onset right-sided weakness. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

A. Start aspirin and clopidogrel
B. Increase the dose of her antihypertensive medication
C. Perform lumbar puncture
D. Repeat CT angiogram
E. Administer nimodipine
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A 67-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of right-sided weakness and slurred speech that began 2 hours ago. He has no history of atrial fibrillation or previous strokes. On examination, his blood pressure is 180/95 mmHg, heart rate is 88 bpm, and he is afebrile. Neurological examination reveals right-sided hemiparesis and expressive aphasia. A non-contrast CT scan of the head shows no evidence of hemorrhage. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Perform a CT angiogram of the head and neck
B. Administer intravenous labetalol to lower blood pressure
C. Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase
D. Refer for urgent carotid endarterectomy
E. Start aspirin therapy
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination reveals intact language function and no cognitive deficits. A CT angiogram was performed, followed by endovascular coiling. The provided image shows a post-operative angiogram. Despite the intervention, the patient's hemianopia persists, and her weakness has slightly worsened. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Administer intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase
B. Prescribe a course of high-dose corticosteroids to reduce cerebral edema
C. Repeat angiography to assess for recanalization or further aneurysm growth
D. Start the patient on nimodipine to prevent vasospasm
E. Initiate dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 55-year-old female presents with new onset right homonymous hemianopia 3 months post-aneurysm coiling. Review the image. What is the MOST likely cause?

A. Aneurysm regrowth
B. Arteriovenous malformation
C. Vasospasm
D. Coil migration
E. New aneurysm formation
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with a sudden onset of right-sided weakness and expressive aphasia. He underwent endovascular coiling for a PCA aneurysm 1 year ago. The attached image was obtained. What is the MOST likely cause of his current presentation?

A. Seizure activity causing postictal paralysis
B. Thromboembolic event related to aneurysm recurrence
C. Vasospasm of the posterior cerebral artery
D. New aneurysm formation in the anterior circulation
E. Hemorrhagic conversion of a previous infarct
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination revealed a left homonymous hemianopia, mild right hemiparesis (4/5 strength), and intact sensation. A CT angiogram was performed, identifying a cerebral aneurysm, and the patient subsequently underwent endovascular coiling. The provided image was obtained immediately following the procedure. Despite the intervention, the patient's left homonymous hemianopia persists, and her right hemiparesis has not improved. Considering the findings on the post-procedure imaging in the context of her ongoing neurological deficits, which of the following is the MOST appropriate immediate management step?

A. Administer intravenous thrombolysis given the persistent neurological deficits.
B. Perform an urgent brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging to assess for extent of infarction.
C. Initiate or optimise dual antiplatelet therapy to mitigate the risk of thromboembolism from the residual sac.
D. Continue current medical management and arrange for routine outpatient follow-up angiography in 3-6 months.
E. Arrange for urgent repeat endovascular coiling of the aneurysm to achieve complete occlusion.
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A 68-year-old man with hypertension presents with sudden onset right-sided weakness and slurred speech. GCS is 13. BP 190/110 mmHg. What is the most critical initial investigation to guide management?

A. CT angiography
B. Lumbar puncture
C. Non-contrast CT head
D. ECG
E. MRI brain
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A 67-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. He has a history of hypertension and is currently on amlodipine. On examination, he is drowsy but arousable, with a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg and a heart rate of 90 bpm. Neurological examination reveals a left-sided hemiparesis and a right-sided facial droop. A CT scan of the head shows a hyperdense lesion in the right basal ganglia with surrounding edema. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management step?

A. Intravenous labetalol to lower blood pressure
B. Oral aspirin to prevent further clot formation
C. Immediate surgical evacuation of the hematoma
D. Intravenous alteplase for thrombolysis
E. Intravenous mannitol to reduce intracranial pressure
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination reveals intact language function and no cognitive deficits. A CT angiogram was performed, followed by endovascular coiling. The provided image shows a post-operative angiogram. Despite the intervention, the patient's hemianopia persists, and her weakness has slightly worsened. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Prescribe a course of high-dose corticosteroids to reduce peri-aneurysmal edema
B. Order an MRI of the brain to evaluate for ischemic changes
C. Initiate dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel
D. Repeat angiography to assess for recanalization or further aneurysm growth
E. Administer intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 72-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation and well-controlled hypertension presents with acute onset expressive aphasia and right-sided facial droop. A CT angiogram reveals a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm, which was promptly treated with endovascular coiling. The provided image shows the post-operative angiogram. Despite the intervention, the patient's aphasia persists, and the facial droop has worsened. What is the MOST likely cause of the patient's continued and worsening symptoms?

A. Intracranial pressure elevation due to edema
B. Reperfusion injury following aneurysm coiling
C. Underlying progressive neurodegenerative disease
D. Thromboembolic complication during the coiling procedure
E. Vasospasm of the posterior cerebral artery
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An 82-year-old man with a history of stroke presents with new onset confusion, a mild cough, and a temperature of 37.8°C. A chest X-ray reveals a right lower lobe infiltrate. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management step?

A. Initiate empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Order urgent sputum culture
C. Administer IV fluids and monitor
D. Discharge home with oral paracetamol
E. Arrange urgent physiotherapy review
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination reveals a left homonymous hemianopia, mild right hemiparesis (4/5 strength), and intact sensation. A CT angiogram was performed, and the patient underwent endovascular coiling. The image shows a follow-up angiogram post-procedure. Despite the intervention, the patient's left homonymous hemianopia persists, and her right hemiparesis has not improved. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Repeat angiography to assess for recanalization or further aneurysm growth
B. Start rehabilitation therapy and monitor for improvement
C. Order an MRI of the brain to evaluate for ischemic changes
D. Prescribe a course of high-dose corticosteroids to reduce peri-aneurysmal edema
E. Initiate dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel
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Post-embolization arteriogram showing coiled aneurysm (indicated by yellow arrows) of the posteriorcerebral artery with a residual aneurysmal sac.
Image by Promod Pillai, Aftab Karim, Anil Nanda CC BY 2.0 · Source

A 72-year-old woman with a history of well-controlled hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of visual disturbance and mild weakness. She describes the visual issue as a loss of vision in the left half of her visual field, which began approximately 3 hours ago. She also notes some difficulty moving her right arm and leg, which started around the same time. On examination, her vital signs are stable: BP 135/85 mmHg, HR 78 bpm, RR 16/min, Temp 36.8°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Neurological examination confirms a left homonymous hemianopia and mild right hemiparesis (MRC grade 4/5) affecting both upper and lower limbs. Sensation is intact. Reflexes are symmetrical, and plantar responses are flexor. A non-contrast CT head was unremarkable for acute haemorrhage or established infarction. Subsequent CT angiography identified a cerebral aneurysm in a location consistent with her symptoms, and she was taken for endovascular coiling. The procedure was completed approximately 6 hours after symptom onset. The image provided is a digital subtraction angiogram obtained immediately following the coiling procedure. Despite the intervention, her left homonymous hemianopia and right hemiparesis persist without significant improvement. Considering the findings demonstrated in the post-procedure imaging in the context of her ongoing neurological deficits, which of the following is the MOST appropriate immediate management step?

A. Perform a repeat cerebral angiogram or high-resolution cross-sectional imaging to assess the residual sac and flow dynamics.
B. Assume the persistent symptoms are unrelated to the treated lesion and investigate for alternative causes such as carotid artery stenosis.
C. Administer intravenous alteplase given the persistent symptoms and recent onset.
D. Initiate aggressive inpatient stroke rehabilitation therapy immediately.
E. Discharge the patient home with urgent outpatient follow-up with neurology.
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A 62-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with acute confusion and weakness on the right side of her body. She has a history of atrial fibrillation and is on warfarin for anticoagulation. Her INR is 3.5. On examination, she is disoriented to time and place, with a right-sided facial droop and hemiparesis. A CT scan of the head shows a left-sided intracerebral hemorrhage. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Start intravenous heparin
B. Administer intravenous vitamin K and prothrombin complex concentrate
C. Initiate oral antihypertensive therapy
D. Administer intravenous mannitol
E. Perform an urgent neurosurgical intervention
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