Prehospital stroke diagnostics based on neurological examination and transcranial ultrasound.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) has proved to be a fast and reliable tool for the detection of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions in a hospital setting. In this feasibility study on prehospital sonography, our aim was to investigate the accuracy of TCCS for neurovascular emergency diagnostics when performed in a prehospital setting using mobile ultrasound equipment as part of a neurological examination.

Methods

Following a '911 stroke code' call, stroke neurologists experienced in TCCS rendezvoused with the paramedic team. In patients with suspected stroke, TCCS examination including ultrasound contrast agents was performed. Results were compared with neurovascular imaging (CTA, MRA) and the final discharge diagnosis from standard patient-centered

SUBMITTER: Herzberg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3996057 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature