A hypeensive patient was admitted with right hemiplegia. Plain CT scan shown below shows
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms of hypertension and right hemiplegia suggest a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), specifically an ischemic stroke. The clinical presentation and CT scan findings are indicative of a stroke caused by occlusion of a major cerebral artery.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is likely a CT scan showing a hyperdense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign, which is indicative of thrombosis of the MCA. This is a common cause of ischemic stroke, particularly in hypertensive patients. The MCA is a major artery that supplies blood to a large portion of the brain, including the motor cortex, which is responsible for motor function. Occlusion of the MCA can lead to ipsilateral hemiplegia, as seen in this patient.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect as it does not provide a clear description of a specific CT scan finding. A CT scan showing a low-density area in the left hemisphere might suggest an ischemic stroke, but it is not as specific as the MCA sign.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect as it does not describe a typical CT scan finding for a stroke. The description of a "diffuse hypodensity" in the left hemisphere is too nonspecific and could be seen in various conditions.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect as it does not describe a specific CT scan finding. A CT scan showing a "mass effect" in the left hemisphere might suggest a variety of conditions, including tumors or hemorrhages.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The MCA sign is a classic radiological finding in ischemic stroke caused by MCA occlusion. It is essential to recognize this sign on a CT scan to diagnose and manage acute ischemic stroke promptly.
**Correct Answer:** A.