Cerebrovascular Accident Without Chiropractic Manipulation: A Case Report

Cerebrovascular Accident Without Chiropractic Manipulation: A Case Report
Received 6 October 2005
Annabel L. Kier, DCa, Peter W. McCarthy, PhDb
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Elsevier

Objective
To discuss the case of a patient with chronic headache. Although not in severe pain at time of consultation, signs and symptoms raised concern. The patient later had a cerebrovascular accident.

Clinical Features
A 49-year-old man with non-traumatic chronic episodic head and neck pain presented for care. Examination and plain film radiographs were unremarkable, suggesting a mechanical origin for the symptoms; however, information in the case history raised concerns.

Intervention and Outcome
The patient was examined and not manipulated by the doctor of chiropractic but referred back to his general practitioner for a second opinion. The following week, the patient was admitted to hospital having had a cerebrovascular accident.

Conclusion
The possible indication of the prodrome to a stroke may lie in the case history rather than the examination findings and provocative testing.

a Senior Lecturer, Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, UK

b Reader Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, UK

Submit requests for reprints to: Annabel L. Kier, DC, Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF37 1DL Wales, UK.

PII: S0161-4754(06)00045-5

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.03.001

© 2006 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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