Diagnostic Challenges in Outpatient Stroke: Stroke Chameleons and Atypical Stroke Syndromes. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Failure to diagnose transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke in a timely fashion is associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality. In the outpatient or clinic setting, we suspect that patients with minor, transient, and atypical manifestations of cerebrovascular disease are most prone to missed or delayed diagnosis. We therefore detail common stroke chameleon symptoms as well as atypical stroke presentations, broadly review new developments in the study of diagnostic error in the outpatient setting, suggest practical clinical strategies for diagnostic error reduction, and emphasize the need for rapid consultation of stroke specialists when appropriate. We also address the role of psychiatric disease and vascular risk factors in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of suspected stroke/TIA patients. We advocate incorporating diagnostic time-outs into clinical practice to assure that the diagnosis of TIA or stroke is considered in all relevant patient encounters after a detailed history and examination are conducted in the outpatient setting.

publication date

  • May 13, 2021

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8129915

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85049829639

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007192

PubMed ID

  • 34017173

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 17