Stroke classification

Question 1

What are the 4 different syndromes in the oxford classification of stroke?

Answer 1

Total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS)
Partial Anterior circulation syndrome (PACS)
Lacunar syndrome (LACS)
Posterior circulation syndrome (POCS)

Question 2

Total anterior circulation syndrome

-what are the clinical features? (3)

Answer 2

Hemiplegia involving at least 2 of:
face, ams and leg +/- Hemisensory loss
Homonymous hemianopia
cortical signs (dysphasia, neglect)

Question 3

partial anterior circulation syndrome

-what are the clinical features? (3)

Answer 3

2/3 features for TACS OR:
isolated cortical dysfunction e.g. dysphagia OR
pure motor/sensory signs less severe than in lacunar

Question 4

Lacunar syndrome

• what are lacunar infarcts?
• clinical presentation? (1)

Answer 4

Lacunar infarcts are small infarcts in deeper parts of the brain (basal ganglia, thalamus, white matter) and brian stem
used by occlusion of a single deep penetrating artery.

-affects any 2 of:
face/arm/leg

Question 5

Posterior circulation syndrome

-clinical presentation? (6)

Answer 5

-CN palsy
bilateral motor/sensory deficits
conjugate eye movement disorders
isolated homonymous hemianopia 
cortical blindness
cerebellar deficits without ipsilateral motor/sensory signs

Question 6

How do you determine laterality of a stroke?

Answer 6

Dominant hemisphere (L) cortical events affect language

Non dominant hemisphere (R) cortical events affect optical awareness