Clinics in diagnostic imaging (188). Transient global amnesia (TGA)

ABSTRACT

A 60-year-old woman was travelling on a plane with her spouse when she suddenly developed acute-onset disorientation to time and space. According to her husband, she repetitively questioned her whereabouts and complained of a minor headache. Upon landing, she was immediately brought to the emergency room and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed multiple punctate 2-3 mm regions of diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensity in the medial aspects of both temporal lobes. The conglomeration of clinical history and radiological findings was most suggestive of transient global amnesia. This article discussed the background, proposed mechanisms, diagnosis, radiological characteristics and management of transient global amnesia.