Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report
Abstract Background Although stroke and acute limb ischemia seem easily distinguishable by anamnesis and physical examination, symptoms may overlap and sometimes mislead the examiner. Such a situation can arise in the occurrence of unilateral neurological symptoms affecting the upper and lower limbs...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04240-1 |
| _version_ | 1797274535351812096 |
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| author | Monika Péčová Jakub Benko Martin Jozef Péč Tomáš Bolek Tatiana Hurtová Juraj Sokol Ján Staško Matej Samoš Marián Mokáň |
| author_facet | Monika Péčová Jakub Benko Martin Jozef Péč Tomáš Bolek Tatiana Hurtová Juraj Sokol Ján Staško Matej Samoš Marián Mokáň |
| author_sort | Monika Péčová |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although stroke and acute limb ischemia seem easily distinguishable by anamnesis and physical examination, symptoms may overlap and sometimes mislead the examiner. Such a situation can arise in the occurrence of unilateral neurological symptoms affecting the upper and lower limbs at the same time. As timely diagnosis and a correct therapeutic intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible damage in both diseases, knowledge of the possibility of one disease mimicking the other is essential. We present a unique case of acute unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimicking an acute stroke. Case presentation A 69-year-old Caucasian patient with known atherosclerotic risk factors was admitted to the emergency department with a suspected stroke with unilateral paresthesia. After a comprehensive examination of the patient with the need for repeated reevaluation and a negative brain computed tomography scan, acute left-sided upper and lower limb ischemia was eventually diagnosed. The patient underwent surgical revascularization of the upper and lower limbs with a satisfactory result and was discharged from the hospital after a few days. Conclusion It is of utmost importance to always stay alert for stroke mimics, as overlooking can lead to severe complications and delay adequate therapy. Our case shows that persistent diagnostic effort leads to successful treatment of the patient even on rare occasions, as is the acute unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:59:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cba4fbadd4544c46b151567469d15f57 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:59:47Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-cba4fbadd4544c46b151567469d15f572024-03-05T19:14:47ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-02-011811410.1186/s13256-023-04240-1Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case reportMonika Péčová0Jakub Benko1Martin Jozef Péč2Tomáš Bolek3Tatiana Hurtová4Juraj Sokol5Ján Staško6Matej Samoš7Marián Mokáň8Oncology Centre, Teaching Hospital MartinDepartment of Internal Medicine I., Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Internal Medicine I., Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Internal Medicine I., Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Infectology and Travel Medicine and Department of Dermatovenerology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, National Centre of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, National Centre of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Internal Medicine I., Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaDepartment of Internal Medicine I., Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in BratislavaAbstract Background Although stroke and acute limb ischemia seem easily distinguishable by anamnesis and physical examination, symptoms may overlap and sometimes mislead the examiner. Such a situation can arise in the occurrence of unilateral neurological symptoms affecting the upper and lower limbs at the same time. As timely diagnosis and a correct therapeutic intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible damage in both diseases, knowledge of the possibility of one disease mimicking the other is essential. We present a unique case of acute unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimicking an acute stroke. Case presentation A 69-year-old Caucasian patient with known atherosclerotic risk factors was admitted to the emergency department with a suspected stroke with unilateral paresthesia. After a comprehensive examination of the patient with the need for repeated reevaluation and a negative brain computed tomography scan, acute left-sided upper and lower limb ischemia was eventually diagnosed. The patient underwent surgical revascularization of the upper and lower limbs with a satisfactory result and was discharged from the hospital after a few days. Conclusion It is of utmost importance to always stay alert for stroke mimics, as overlooking can lead to severe complications and delay adequate therapy. Our case shows that persistent diagnostic effort leads to successful treatment of the patient even on rare occasions, as is the acute unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04240-1ParesthesiaAcute limb ischemiaStrokeStroke mimics |
| spellingShingle | Monika Péčová Jakub Benko Martin Jozef Péč Tomáš Bolek Tatiana Hurtová Juraj Sokol Ján Staško Matej Samoš Marián Mokáň Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Paresthesia Acute limb ischemia Stroke Stroke mimics |
| title | Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report |
| title_full | Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report |
| title_short | Unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke: a case report |
| title_sort | unilateral upper and lower limb ischemia mimics stroke a case report |
| topic | Paresthesia Acute limb ischemia Stroke Stroke mimics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04240-1 |
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