Rashi Jha, Bhavita S Suthar, Summavyya Ansari, Jaimin Menat.
Volume 2 Special Issue 1 (Feb) 2025, Article 10 (pp.25-26)
Key Points
Question:
How can stroke chameleons, with atypical presentations, be identified accurately to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes?
Findings:
Stroke chameleons present with subtle symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, and altered mental status, often leading to misdiagnosis. Advanced imaging (e.g., MRI) and education for healthcare providers and the public are crucial for timely recognition. Performance tools like ‘Get with the Guidelines’ help but may not fully prevent missed diagnoses.
Meaning:
Heightened awareness, advanced imaging, and improved education are essential to overcome the diagnostic challenges of stroke chameleons and optimize patient care.
Abstract
Importance:
Stroke affects 15 million people annually worldwide, with misdiagnosis contributing to elevated mortality rates and disability-adjusted life years lost. Accurate and timely recognition of stroke is critical for acute treatment and secondary prevention.
Objective:
To explore the phenomenon of stroke chameleons, identify their atypical presentations, and emphasize strategies for accurate diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Challenged by the limitation and the incapacity, scientists and researchers have developed a brain-computer interface technology (BCI) that enables direct communication between the brain and external computing devices independently of the peripheral nerves or muscles augmenting human capabilities in interacting with the physical environment.
Evidence Review:
A comprehensive review of literature highlighting stroke chameleons, their atypical symptoms, challenges in diagnosis, and the role of advanced imaging and educational tools in improving identification and outcomes.
Findings:
Stroke chameleons often present with non-specific symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, monoplegia, altered mental status, and headache, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, are critical for accurate diagnosis, while education for healthcare providers and the public can improve awareness. Performance improvement tools, like ‘Get with the Guidelines,’ and neurologic consultations play vital roles, though they may not eliminate missed diagnoses.
Conclusions and Relevance:
Diagnosing stroke chameleons remains a significant challenge due to their diverse presentations. Improved awareness, advanced imaging, and targeted education are essential for better outcomes. Future research should address system-level factors and refine educational strategies to overcome diagnostic complexity.
