Author: Neal Aplin / Editor: Fiona Mendes / Codes: / Published: 10/01/2024
A 53-year-old man presented to your Emergency Department (ED) with a 12-hour history of impaired sensation to the right side of his face, right arm and right upper torso.
Initially he had a sudden onset of impaired sensation which lasted several minutes before completely resolving. Then over 2-3 hours, he had another 3 similar episodes. After the last episode, the impaired sensation persisted in his right arm.
He remains pain-free. There is no history of recent trauma.
His past medical history includes type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Neurological examination demonstrated reduced sensation in the patients right arm. Strength was equal and there were no signs of unilateral weakness, movement disorder or swallowing difficulty. Blood pressure was raised at 185/90mmHg.