Re: Nurse's Mini Stroke Came With No Warning - If It Happens To You, Act Quickly
One of the ways of classifying stroke involves identifying which bit of the circulation has been affected- ie anterior, posterior and brainstem, and how much.
In the UK the Bamford classification is widely used.It's useful as it can predict prognosis and help with investigations to perform, ie need to look at carotid arteries for anterior circulation strokes, but not for posterior circulation strokes.
Usually, strokes fit into one of the classifications, if your patients symptoms don't then you might consider that this may not be a vascular event (stroke) and look at other diagnosis. Remember the neurological deficit is usually unilateral, but brain stem strokes can be the exception because the lesion is so low in the brain.
You might want to google "locked in syndrome"-that is what the guy in the diving bell and the butterfly had.I think the film illustrates it better-but it is subtitled as he was French.
Originally Posted by Cheesecakelady 
Misswoosie, I looked this book up on Amazon. I think I will read it, but it sounds kind of scary. I've had a bit of experience with brainstem problems. My doctor seems unable or unwilling to make a definite diagnosis. I'd like to learn as much as I can on the subject. Thanks.
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