Thread: How can a doctor be certain a CVA (stroke) has occurred.?

I was seen in A&E 4 days ago as I had become unwell at work. The doctor said I may have had a 'mini stroke' and he would arrange for me to be seen in out patients. I went home and within an hour had a phone call asking me to attend clinic the next morning. I went and was seen by a consultant physician who, after some questioning and prodding sent me for an immediate CT scan. She got the results there and then and said the scan was ok but that I had had a full stroke the day before and that it had happened in the back of the brain. How can she say this if the scan was ok? I have some numbness around the lip and a slight droop of the lip but that is all. I declined to be admitted for a lumbar puncture but have to have further tests including MRI on Monday.

I feel a bit overwhelmed as I don't feel ill, just a bit 'wooly'....does this sound more like a mini stroke or something like Bells Palsy rather than a stroke. I ask because of the medications she wants me to take.

symptoms can be a stronger indication of a stroke rather than the CT brain scan itself. in fact it has been said that a stroke does not show up straight away on a brain scan. considering you have numbness around your lips and a droop it definitely sounds like you had a stroke. the MRI should give more indepth details. I wish you the best with your recovery.