Information Used for Stroke Diagnosis Clinicians must first decide on the key questions to be asked. Answers are difficult unless the questions are clearly framed. In neurology, two diagnostic questions always require an answer: (1) what is the disease mechanism—the…
Fabry disease (FD), also known as angiokeratoma corporis diffusum , is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of α-galactosidase A (α-gal). This defect causes the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in cells, including endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells of…
Spinal cord strokes are a rare but important differential consideration in central nervous system vascular disease. As in the brain, spinal cord strokes can be divided into two large groups—ischemic and hemorrhagic. They account for about 1% of all strokes…
Anatomy The two vertebral arteries merge at the pontomedullary junction to form the basilar artery (BA). This artery lies within the prepontine cistern and is the main stem of the posterior circulation. It directly supplies a large territory of vital…
Vascular Anatomy The vertebral arteries (VAs) originate from the most proximal portion of the subclavian arteries (SAs) and constitute the birthplace of the so-called posterior circulation. An important feature of the SA system is that the right artery originates from…
The most common temporary focal neurological events are transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), migrainous accompaniments, seizures, and functional psychogenic episodes . Transient Ischemic Attacks A TIA is defined as a transient episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord,…