What Does This CAT Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2015

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 Answered on

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had a follow up cat scan after having a craniotomy to remove an AVM. AVM removal was successful, however; during the embolization process I suffered a stroke. The surgeries were almost 5 months ago. The follow up scan report says I have a chronic infarct. What does this mean? Something that is going to stay?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is the medical terminology of the old stroke

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
The CAT Scan refers to the same episode of stroke that you mention you suffered during the embolization. Thus the stroke is not a recent one and the sequele are what we refer to as chronic. Stoke is of two types - ischemic and hemorrhagic. When the embolization occurred, it cut off the blood supply to a portion of the brain the resultant lack of oxygen leads to what we refer to as infarct. Hence it is a 'chronic infact'.
The effects are going to fade over time but would not become zero.
Hope that clarifies your query.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar