Journal of the neurological sciences
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Paradoxical embolism to the cerebral circulation is often difficult to diagnose clinically. We report a case that illustrates the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of paradoxical embolism. An 84-year-old woman presented with bilateral hemispheric strokes. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed a mobile 4-cm serpiginous thrombus wedged into a patent foramen ovale, extending from the right into the left atria. Multiple imaging modalities were used, allowing rapid diagnosis of paradoxical embolism, with an underlying DVT as the mechanism of stroke. Of all the investigations, visualization with TEE proved crucial in confirming the diagnosis.
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Ischemic stroke during hospitalization can occasionally be found, but the mechanisms and causes underlying stroke have not been investigated in detail. The present study aimed to identify differences in stroke etiology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital onset. ⋯ Ischemic stroke with in-hospital onset may be associated with AF and RLS.