Occipital lobe infarctions are different

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Authors: Halvor Naess, Ulrikke Waje-Andreassen, Lars Thomassen

Published Date October 2007 Volume 2007:3(4) Pages 413 - 415

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S

Halvor Naess, Ulrikke Waje-Andreassen, Lars Thomassen

Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

Objectives: We hypothesized that occipital lobe infarctions differ from infarctions in other locations as to etiology, risk factors and prognosis among young adults.

Methods: Location, etiology, risk factors and long-term outcome were evaluated among all young adults 15–49 years suffering from cerebral infarction in Hordaland County, Norway between 1988 and 1997.

Results: The following variables were more frequent among patients with occipital lobe infarction compared with patients with infarctions located elsewhere: younger age (P < 0.001), female sex (P = 0.016), prothrombotic state (P = 0.005) and lack of hypertension (P = 0.001). There was no difference as to long-term mortality or recurrence of cerebral infarction.

Conclusion: Occipital lobe infarctions differ from infarctions in other locations among young adults. This may have important etiologic and therapeutical implications that need further studies.

Keywords: cerebral infarction, occipital lobe, young adults