CVA, (cerebral vascular accident) otherwise known as a stroke, is the result of the loss of blood to the brain or part of the brain which results in cell death in that area.

Blood brings nutrients and oxygen while carrying waste products away from all over the body and the brain is no different. Without life giving blood to any part of our brain, that part of the brain will die. In the image seen here, a lack of density in the right parietal area of the patients brain extending from the frontal area to the occipital area causing some midline shift can be seen. I'm no Dr, but the damage here appears to be extensive.

Symptoms of a stroke may range from slurred speech, memory loss, paralysis, loss of reasoning skills, and or drooping of one side of the mouth. Often times a patient cannot stick their tongue out straight, it will go to one side or the other.

CVA could be caused by a blood clot such as a cerebral thrombosis (formation of a blood clot inside the brain), cerebral embolism (blood clot formed somewhere else in the body and moved into the brain), or subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by tearing of veins with the end result being intracranial pressure as well as an end to normal blood flow in that area.

Strokes caused by an embolism present with symptoms that are most intense right after the stroke occurs. Symptoms present themselves more slowly in the case of a thrombosis. Patients may complain of a very bad headache, decreased vision in one or both eyes, weak or numb feeling on one side of the body, and or an unsteady gate, dizziness, and lack of coordination.

About 72 hrs will pass before a CVA will show up on a CT scan, therefore an MRI may be the scan of choice using a diffusion weighted sequence, which will demonstrate a CVA almost immediately.

Typically plasminogen activator (tPA) will be given to the patient within about 3 hrs to dissove the blood clot and restore normal blood flow. If a patient cannot have tPA, other blood thinning drugs may be given, ussually heparin.

We may want to quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, watch our weight, and exercise regularly as a way to help prevent strokes.