Differential Diagnosis for CVD Infarct vs Bleed
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Ischemic Stroke (CVD Infarct): This is the most likely diagnosis given the context of CVD (cerebrovascular disease) and the presentation of an infarct, which typically results from an obstruction of blood flow to a part of the brain, leading to tissue death.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hemorrhagic Stroke (Bleed): This is another likely diagnosis as it directly contrasts with an infarct in the context of CVD, involving bleeding into or around the brain, which can also present with sudden neurological deficits.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although not as severe as an infarct, a TIA or "mini-stroke" could be considered if the symptoms are temporary and resolve within 24 hours, indicating a temporary disruption in blood supply to part of the brain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A potentially life-threatening condition that involves bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which could present similarly to an infarct or bleed and requires immediate medical attention.
- Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A condition involving a blood clot in the venous sinuses of the brain, which can mimic the symptoms of an arterial stroke and is critical not to miss due to its different treatment approach.
- Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS): A condition characterized by temporary narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, which can cause symptoms similar to those of a stroke and is important to diagnose to avoid inappropriate treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cerebral Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which can cause a variety of symptoms including those mimicking a stroke, but is less common and might require specific diagnostic tests to identify.
- Moyamoya Disease: A rare condition caused by narrowing or blockage of the internal carotid artery and its branches, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain, which can cause stroke-like symptoms.
- CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy): A rare hereditary condition that affects the blood vessels in the brain, leading to subcortical strokes and dementia, presenting with symptoms that could be confused with those of a CVD infarct or bleed.