Cranial Computed Tomographic Findings in Transient Ischemic Attack Patients

Background: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke, with temporary disruption of cerebral blood flow. Despite TIA was only short-time neurological dysfunction, it might cause following permanent brain damage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for assess cerebral imaging in TIA, but widely unavailable and limited by contraindication, hence cranial computed tomography (CT) scan has a role in diagnosis of TIA patients. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to describe CT appearance, the prevalence of negative CT findings for acute pathology and review the clinical information of patients whom diagnosed TIA for characterize the associated factor. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively reviewed medical records and CT findings with TIA were recruited. Correlation between clinical data and CT appearance was done. Results: 231 patients were analyzed. CT scan discovered negative acute pathology in 97.40% of cases. 2.16% had intracranial hemorrhages and possibly acute infarct in 0.43%. The risk of acute ischemic stroke within 90 days after TIA is 3.46%. Significant differences of the risk factor in older TIA patients are hypertension (p = 0.042), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.008), alcoholic drinking (p<0.001), current smoking (p = 0.002), and symptom presentation of muscular weakness (p = 0.002) that associated with TIA event. Conclusion: The prevalence of negative CT findings for acute pathology in TIA is quite high still remained uncertain etiology, which should be performed additional MRI for recognizing acute and/or small lesions. Keywords: Cerebral tomography, Transient ischemic attack (TIA)