Recurrent transient focal neurological deficits in convexity meningioma: TIA or negative motor seizures?

Abstract

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is defined as a temporary focal neurological deficit of presumed vascular origin, lasting for less than 1 h, with no evidence of infarct on neuroimaging. If a patient is suffering from multiple cardiovascular risk factors and presents with transient and recurrent focal neurological deficits, the most likely diagnosis considered is TIA. As the possibility of stroke within first 24 h is high, such patients need aggressive investigation and management, and ideally should be hospitalized. TIA usually occurs due to major intracranial or extra cranial artery stenosis. However, if vascular imaging and cardiac workup is normal, possibility of small vessel disease is considered. Space occupying lesions usually presents with seizure, symptoms of raised intracranial pressure or progressive neurological deficits rather than TIA. There are a few case reports where meningioma presented as TIA, due to vascular compromise by encasing internal carotid artery. 1,2 transient focal neurological deficits can have other differentials like post ictal palsy and negative motor seizures. In a given patient with space occupying lesion like meningioma presenting with recurrent transient focal neurological deficits we need to consider all these differentials. We are hereby reporting a case of convexity meningioma, which presented as recurrent focal neurological deficit due to negative motor seizures, mimicking transient ischemic attack.

Keywords

Epilepsy - Meningioma - Negative seizure - Parietal seizure - TIA

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