Brain Infarction Replaced "Cerebral Thrombosis" Since the Introduction of CT Scanning

Brain Infarction Replaced "Cerebral Thrombosis" Since the Introduction of CT Scanning

In the past, what was known as cerebral thrombosis has been renamed "brain infarction" since the advent of CT scanning. This change reflects the progression of cerebral arteriosclerosis. Clinically, it is characterized by a gradual onset, hemiplegia, and diastolic blood pressure exceeding 90 mmHg. When this lesion occurs in the right hemisphere of the brain, it only leads to left-sided hemiplegia without aphasia; when it occurs in the left hemisphere, it results in aphasia but mild hemiplegia. In late autumn of the Year of the Water Pig, Mr. Zhao introduced a patient with left-brain infarction who had suffered from aphasia for half a month without success in treatment at numerous hospitals. Upon my examination, the patient exhibited mild hemiplegia on the right side, deviation of the right facial muscles and mouth, complete aphasia, a wiry pulse, a red tongue with yellow coating, and a blood pressure of 160/90 mmHg. I prescribed Shengdi Huang, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu, Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi, Rou Gui, Fu Pian, Shi Hu, Rou Cong Rong, Shi Chang Pu, Yuan Zhi, Ba Ji Tian, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, Jiang Xiang, Dan Shen, Da Huang, Chan Tui, Jiang Can, Jiang Huang, Chai Hu, Zhi Shi, and Shui Zhi (to be taken separately). After ten doses of medication, the patient's hemiplegic symptoms had largely recovered, and they were able to produce sounds, though still unable to speak. Approximately 70% of cerebral thromboses occur in the carotid siphon and middle cerebral artery, followed in descending order by the anterior cerebral artery, basilar artery, vertebral artery, and posterior cerebral artery. Infarctions in the left hemisphere cause aphasia, most commonly motor or mixed aphasia, while infarctions in the right hemisphere often present with common strabismus. Basilar artery thrombosis may manifest as dizziness, tinnitus, diplopia, dysphagia, and ataxia. Thrombosis of the main trunk of the basilar artery can lead to quadriplegia, medullary paralysis, coma, and death.