A 60-Year-Old Professor Is Brought to the Emergency Department After

A 60-year-old professor is brought to the emergency department after developing right-sided weakness and numbness during a lecture an hour ago.  He also has nausea and confusion.  The patient smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years but quit 10 years ago.  He does not drink alcohol.  His father died of myocardial infarction at age 70.  Blood pressure is 190/100 mm Hg, and pulse is 60 /min.  On physical examination, there are no signs of head trauma.  There is diminished right-sided strength (1/5) and an upgoing plantar reflex.  Brain CT without contrast is obtained immediately.  The image is shown below. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A) Arteriovenous malformation
B) Cardiac embolism
C) Carotid artery atherosclerosis
D) Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
E) Charcot-Bouchard aneurysm
F) Hypertensive encephalopathy
G) Hypoxic encephalopathy
H) Large vessel arteritis
I) Saccular aneurysm

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free