What does it indicate if a person's left side becomes numb after suffering a mild stroke?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend had a mild stroke, and his left side is numb. He is admitted to the ICU currently. Please check the attached report and suggest your opinion.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Inspecting the report (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), the patient suffers from a hemorrhagic stroke. The hemorrhage on the right side of the brain is very big, around 6 x 3 x 3 cm in size, and a 5 mm midline shift to the left side. Hence, he is having left-sided numbness.

He needs the ICU (intensive care unit) for monitoring because the size of the hemorrhage over the left brain may increase at any time, during which he may need urgent decompressive surgery.

If he is fine for the next seven days, he might not require surgery.

Currently, he is critical. He needs close monitoring of neurological status, blood pressure, sugar control, and proper nursing care and physiotherapy.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Please understand that only size is not a criteria. There are many clinical points to see during day-to-day ICU. But, midline shifts of more than 7 mm need surgery.