At the scene (Photo: Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3)Itwas the third stroke that the neurologist from the field hospital hasdiagnosed and managed successfully in the past 12 months.
Itwas also the second time that peacekeeping health workers at the field hospitaleffectively used ultrasound to assess the increased intracranial pressure andsupport the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of acute cerebral strokeas they lack medical equipment like CT scanners or MRIs.
Hiscolleagues took the South Sudanese patient to the field hospital at 10 amon April 11 when the right side of his body could not move. He was still awakeand able to answer calls. His blood pressure increased to very high levels.
Onehour before admission, the patient suddenly became weak and had decreasedsensation on the right side of the body.
DrDang Long Trieu, head of the medical examination department, and the hospital's deputy directorTran Dang Khoa handled the patient, controlled their blood pressure andperformed tests.
Inthe first hour, the patient was preliminarily diagnosed with a lefthemisphere stroke and suspected cerebral hemorrhage. He also had complicationsof increased intracranial pressure.
Althoughhe had had a five-year history of hypertension, he had received notreatment.
Withthe equipment of a Level 2 field hospital, Dr Hoang Xuan Truong conductedan ultrasound scan to assess the diameter of the patient’s posterior opticnerve sheath to support a clearer diagnosis.
Resultsshowed a marked increase in intracranial pressure, predicting braincompression. The patient was immediately given the standard protocol forcerebral stroke.
Thehospital’s deputy director Tran Dang Khoa reported the case to the Chief ofHealth of the mission. The patient was urgently transferred to a Level-3 fieldhospital to have early access to specialised treatment.
Threehealth workers of the field hospital successfully accompanied the patient tothe Level-3 Field Hospital in Uganda’s Kampala City.
Coordinationbetween the departments and teams in the field hospitals had contributedsignificantly to creating the hospital's prestige and trust ofpatients, Khoa said, adding that they were determined to complete theUnited Nations peacekeeping mission./.
VNA
