One essential feature required for the diagnosis of a TIA is a focal loss of function. Hence, non-focal symptoms such as loss of consciousness - with or without an associated loss of vision, dizziness, generalised weakness, mental confusion, and urinary / faecal incontinence - cannot be accepted as evidence of a TIA.
Several focal symptoms should also be rejected if they occur in isolation. These include vertigo, diplopia, dysphagia, loss of balance, tinnitus, sensory symptoms confined to part of one limb or the face, amnesia, drop attacks and a scintillating scotoma (1).
The diagnosis of TIA is important since it identifies patients with a high risk of developing stroke and other vascular events as a consequence of thrombo-embolism.
NICE suggest (2):
Imaging for people who have had a suspected TIA or acute non-disabling stroke
Suspected TIA
Carotid imaging
Reference:
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