Transient Global Amnesia Workup

  • Author: Roy Sucholeiki, MD; Chief Editor: Helmi L Lutsep, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 28, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • CBC count with differential
  • Electrolyte panel
  • Screening clotting tests, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), INR
  • When a patient initially presents with transient global amnesia, stroke must be ruled out.
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Imaging Studies

Brain MRI and/or CT scan

  • Any patient presenting with features of transient global amnesia should receive an imaging test to rule out a stroke possibility, especially if significant risk factors are present.
  • MRI with DWI can readily demonstrate acute ischemic changes early and guide management.
  • If an MRI cannot be obtained readily, then at least a CT scan should be done initially if the patient is presenting to an emergency department.
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Other Tests

ECG, EEG

These tests are important if the diagnosis of TGA is in doubt. If symptoms have occurred more than once, then at least a routine EEG should be done to help investigate a seizure possibility by demonstrating any interictal activity.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Roy Sucholeiki, MD  Director, Comprehensive Seizure and Epilepsy Program, The Neurosciences Institute at Central DuPage Hospital

Roy Sucholeiki, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and American Neuropsychiatric Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Carmel Armon, MD, MSc, MHS  Professor of Neurology, Tufts University School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Neurology, Baystate Medical Center

Carmel Armon, MD, MSc, MHS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American College of Physicians, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, American Stroke Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, Movement Disorders Society, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Avanir Pharmaceuticals Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Howard S Kirshner, MD  Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vice Chairman, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Director, Vanderbilt Stroke Center; Program Director, Stroke Service, Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Howard S Kirshner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, American Society of Neurorehabilitation, National Stroke Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Chief Editor

Helmi L Lutsep, MD  Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine; Associate Director, Oregon Stroke Center

Helmi L Lutsep, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Stroke Association

Disclosure: Co-Axia Consulting fee Review panel membership; AGA Medical Consulting fee Review panel membership; Concentric Medical Consulting fee Review panel membership

References

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