Recurrent basal ganglia haemorrhage: Transient ischaemic attack [TIA] or acute transient focal neurological deficit [TFND]?

The widely accepted definition of a transient ischaemic attack [TIA] is sudden, focal neurological deficit [cerebral or retinal deficit] lasting for less than 24 hours, which is presumed to be of vascular origin. This case demonstrates that the arbitrary time limit of 24 hours did not help the correct diagnosis and management of this patient. It supports the calls to change our approach to the definition and the management of TIA [under] towards a syndrome of acute transient focal neurological deficits [acute TFND], which could only be guided by imaging