What Causes Sickness With Normal CT Scan And Blood Sugar Levels?

Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014

Question: Dear Doctor,

My father is 86 years old, for last 7 days he do not want to get up from bed & having fumbling and irrelevant talking.

Blood sugar is normal
Sodium & potassium level is normal
CT SCAN report is also fine.

Urine & Stool Normal
No problem of having food.

Doctor's could not diagnosis the actual cause.

Please help us.

With Regards
XXXXXXX
YYYY@YYYY
+91 0000

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely a minor brain stroke

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr XXXXXXX

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your father's symptoms and investigation reports.

Based on that, the most likely diagnosis is a minor brain stroke (lack of blood supply to the brain). This can get missed on CT scan, and can be diagnosed on MRI scan of brain.

If possible, please get the MRI brain done.

Other causes of his symptoms such as low sodium, urine infection, etc have already been excluded.

There is no need to worry, as it seems to be a minor issue.

I hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (21 minutes later)

Dear Sir,

There is no MRI Facilities at our area, we have to travel 125 KM to get it done, it would not be a problem if we took my father in an ambulance to MRI Centre ?
Journey will not cause any problem right ?

There might be another stroke ?

His Blood Pressure is normal now.

Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no urgency for MRI.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

There is no urgency for MRI now. You can get him started on Aspirin tablets to prevent stroke in future.

Only if you find that he is worsening or not getting better, you need to shift him for MRI brain.

The local doctor can examine him regarding fitness for travel.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 hours later)

Dear sir,

My fathers CT SCAN report reveals that he has got
1. Left paraventricular ischemic infarct 2.Diffuse cerebral atrophya

Is there any treatment to cure it?

Regards
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

Detailed Answer:
I have noted the CT scan reports of your father.

1. Infarct refers to the blood clot due to brain stroke. Aspirin tablets can be used for that.

2. Cerebral atrophy refers to shrinkage of brain due to old age and is normal. No treatment is needed for that.

I hope it helps.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (20 minutes later)

Dear sir,

My fathers CT SCAN report reveals that he has got
1. Left paraventricular ischemic infarct 2.Diffuse cerebral atrophya

Is there any treatment to cure it?

Regards
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
My reply is below.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with your father's CT scan reports.

I have noted the CT scan reports of your father.

1. Ischemic infarct refers to the blood clot due to brain stroke (lack of blood supply to a part of brain). Aspirin tablets can be used for the treatment.

2. Cerebral atrophy refers to shrinkage of brain due to old age and is normal. No treatment is required for that.

I hope it helps.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj