Key Points Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiologic disorder characterized by rapidly progressive neurologic symptoms and a characteristic pattern of vasogenic edema on neuroimaging. Neurologic symptoms are usually associated with an increase in blood pressure above baseline. Malignant…
Key Points Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) are a group of conditions characterized by reversible multifocal narrowing and dilatation of the cerebral arteries. The mean age is 42 years; age range 4 months to 76 years. The female:male ratio ranges…
Key Points Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic illness caused by a novel coronavirus, has been associated with stroke, possibly related to thrombophilia and severe inflammation. Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an inflammatory arterial disease restricted…
Key Points Cervicocerebral arterial dissection constitutes 2% of strokes occurring most frequently in young and middle-aged populations. Medical interventions depending on the timing and severity of initial presentation and site of dissection may include thrombolytics, antiplatelet agents, or anticoagulation. Clinical…
Key Points Periprocedural stroke accounts for at least 5% of the approximately 800,000 strokes that occur each year in the United States, although these events are likely underreported. Stroke can occur after a wide range of surgeries, and when it…
Key Points Large or complex atherosclerotic plaques in the proximal segment of the aorta are a potential cause of ischemic stroke in individuals older than age 60 years. The magnitude of the risk depends on the morphologic characteristics of the…
Key Points Stroke due to cardiac embolism is commonly of sudden onset, is more prone to hemorrhagic transformation, and is associated with higher mortality than other stroke subtypes. The etiologic workup for stroke due to a cardiogenic source is crucial…
Key Points Spinal cord stroke presents with painless paraparesis with urinary retention. The majority of spinal cord stroke can be attributed to diseases of the aorta. Spinal cord infarction occurs most frequently as a complication of aortic dissection and surgery…
Key Points Intracerebral vascular malformations constitute an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage in younger patients. The spectrum of vascular malformations ranges from sporadic congenital lesions such as brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) to genetically determined familial disorders that may progress over…
Key Points Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a neurologic emergency. Severe and sudden headache is the most common presentation, but patients can experience loss of consciousness or seizures at onset. Most patients with nontraumatic SAH will harbor a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.…