Pediatric Stroke: Clinical Findings and Radiological Approach

Giuseppe Lanni,Massimo Gallucci,Amalia Paonessa,Laura Conti,Alessia Catalucci,Alessandra Di Sibio

doi:10.4061/2011/172168

Giuseppe Lanni, Massimo Gallucci + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/172168

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Journal: Stroke Research and Treatment	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
Citations: 18	License type: CC BY 3.0

Affiliation: University of L'Aquila

Abstract

This paper focuses on radiological approach in pediatric stroke including both ischemic stroke (Arterial Ischemic Stroke and Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis) and hemorrhagic stroke. Etiopathology and main clinical findings are examined as well. Magnetic Resonance Imaging could be considered as the first-choice diagnostic exam, offering a complete diagnostic set of information both in the discrimination between ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and in the identification of underlying causes. In addition, Magnetic Resonance vascular techniques supply further information about cerebral arterial and venous circulation. Computed Tomography, for its limits and radiation exposure, should be used only when Magnetic Resonance is not available and on unstable patients.

Highlights

Pediatric stroke (PS) is a relatively rare disease, having an estimated incidence of 2.5–13/100,000/year [1,2,3,4], but remains one of the most common causes of death in childhood, with a mortality rate of 0.6/100,000 dead/year [5, 6]
This paper will focus on main clinical features and radiological diagnosis of pediatric stroke
Computed Tomography (CT) scan with contrast misses the diagnosis of Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT) in up to 40% of patients [22] so CT venography (CTV) can be a reasonable in-depth examination

Summary

Introduction

Pediatric stroke (PS) is a relatively rare disease, having an estimated incidence of 2.5–13/100,000/year [1,2,3,4], but remains one of the most common causes of death in childhood, with a mortality rate of 0.6/100,000 dead/year [5, 6]. AIS, both in neonatal and childhood forms, has a higher incidence among males [5, 10,11,12,13,14] and black people [5, 7]. The incidence of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is estimated between 0.7 to 5.1/100,000 children/year [23, 24] and, similar to childhood AIS, is more common in males and blacks [11, 25]. This paper will focus on main clinical features and radiological diagnosis of pediatric stroke

Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Clinical Presentation

Radiological Diagnosis

Findings

Conclusions