An 82-Year-Old Man Is Found Unresponsive by His Neighbor

An 82-year-old man is found unresponsive by his neighbor.  The patient lives alone in his suburban home.  When the neighbor went to check on him, the patient was on the floor and not answering any questions.  His medical history is unknown.  On arrival of emergency medical services, the patient is obtunded and responds only to painful stimuli.  Supportive measures are begun, including endotracheal intubation, but the patient dies en route to the hospital.  Autopsy reveals extensive atherosclerotic disease involving the coronary and internal carotid arteries.  Histopathologic examination of the brain in the right middle cerebral artery territory shows neurons with intensely eosinophilic cytoplasm and nuclear fragmentation.  Based on these findings, this patient's cerebral injury most likely occurred approximately how long ago?

A) Less than an hour
B) 12-24 hours
C) 1-2 weeks
D) 2 months
E) 2 years

Correct Answer:

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