The Posterior CVA: A review and case

The posterior circulation CVA is an elusive diagnosis, contemplated in all of our dizzy, nauseous patients. Some studies report its incidence to be up to 1 in 5 of all CVAs.1 Are one in five of your CVA diagnoses of the posterior variety? I know that is not the case for me. The next important questions then become: are we thinking about posterior CVAs in the appropriate circumstances and doing the right physical exam to assess for this disease?

Below is a link to a video lecture on the Posterior CVA, its anatomy, the physical exam, and disease management. Included in this is a classic case presentation of this disease processes.

1) Flossmann E, Rothwell PM. Prognosis of vertebrobasilar transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke. Brain 2003; 126: 1940-54.