Stroke is a major contributor to long-term disability worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, it ranks as the 3rd leading cause of mortality, necessitating prompt recognition of symptoms and risk factors for timely treatment. This study aims to comprehensively assess stroke knowledge and awareness among the general adult population in the southern region of Saudi Arabia to inform targeted public health interventions for better prevention and care. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024, targeting the general adult Saudi population aged 18 years and older residing in the Aseer region. A total of 586 responses were collected through an online questionnaire hosted on Google Forms. The questionnaire included demographic questions and assessed knowledge of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and consequences. Among the 586 participants, 75.6% demonstrated strong general knowledge of stroke. The sample comprised predominantly educated individuals (78.5% with university degrees) and a significant majority of females (74.7%). Recognition of early stroke symptoms was strong, with 65.5% able to identify 5 or more symptoms. Females were significantly more likely than males to identify stroke consequences ( P = .028). Notably, age (50–70 years) was associated with recognizing symptoms ( P = .032). However, knowledge gaps were identified regarding risk factors and consequences. Overall knowledge of stroke and its symptoms in the Aseer region is robust. However, targeted public health campaigns are essential to enhance awareness of risk factors and consequences, which may help reduce prehospital delays and improve treatment outcomes.

Neurological emergencies, including stroke, seizures, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, require prompt recognition and intervention for optimal outcomes. Public awareness of these conditions is essential, yet knowledge gaps persist in Saudi Arabia despite their increasing prevalence. This study aims to assess knowledge and perceptions of neurological emergencies among the Saudi general population and identify sociodemographic factors influencing awareness levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and July 2025 using an online questionnaire distributed to Saudi residents aged ≥18 years. The survey assessed knowledge of symptoms, appropriate responses, and sources of information regarding neurological emergencies. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, with nonparametric tests to evaluate differences between demographic groups. Among 593 participants, 60.7% correctly identified initial actions for stroke, while 80.6% recognized that even one stroke symptom warrants immediate action. Most participants knew not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if breathing (91.2%) or sprinkle water (85.3%), but fewer identified proper actions like turning the person on their side (44.9%) or calling emergency services for seizures over 5 minutes (50.8%). Gaps exist in recognizing emergency situations such as injuries or prolonged unconsciousness. Female participants, residents of Central and Western regions, and those with healthcare backgrounds demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores ( P < .05). Social media (62.6%) was the primary information source, followed by healthcare professionals (55.3%). This study revealed notable gaps in public knowledge about neurological emergencies in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding recognition of stroke symptoms and appropriate seizure management. However, over 80% of participants were aged 18 to 30, which limits generalizability to the broader Saudi population. Findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, especially for demographics showing lower awareness levels, to improve early recognition and management to these time-sensitive conditions.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite established prevention strategies, many patients present with previously undiagnosed vascular risk factors (URFs) at the time of their first-ever ischemic stroke, suggesting missed opportunities for early detection. In Canada, particularly in Quebec, access to primary care is inconsistent, and a substantial proportion of the population lacks attachment to a family doctor (FD). Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of URFs among patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and to evaluate the relationship between URFs, geographic region, and access to primary care in Quebec, Canada. We hypothesized that patients without an FD would have a higher prevalence of URFs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 610 patients admitted with first-ever ischemic stroke to the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) between 2014 and 2017. Data collected included demographics; known and undiagnosed stroke risk factors such as hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia (HLD), and atrial fibrillation (AF); FD status; and geographic location based on postal code. Results: Among the 610 patients, 136 (22.3%) had at least one URF. The most common URF was HLD (14.3%), followed by HTN (6.2%), AF (1.6%), and DM (0.1%). Of 609 patients with available data, 146 (23.97%) lacked an FD. Patients without an FD were significantly more likely to have undiagnosed HTN (7.6% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.008). No significant differences were observed for the other URFs. Geographic variation was noted in both URF prevalence and FD access, but regional differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings support the hypothesis that a lack of an FD is associated with a higher prevalence of undiagnosed HTN in ischemic stroke patients. Targeted screening and improved access to primary care, particularly in underserved regions, may help to reduce the burden of preventable stroke by facilitating the earlier identification and management of modifiable risk factors.

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) is a rare, hyperacute inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that is usually diagnosed on clinical and radiological grounds when tissue is unavailable. We report a previously healthy, unvaccinated 19-year-old woman with a 5-day febrile respiratory illness and a nasopharyngeal real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test positive for influenza A. Within approximately 12 h of admission, she progressed from full consciousness to coma with signs of brainstem dysfunction and developed shock requiring vasopressors. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral confluent white-matter lesions with vasogenic edema, symmetric thalamic restricted diffusion, midbrain and pontine involvement, and petechial hemorrhages within the pons on susceptibility-weighted imaging. Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated protein and mild lymphocytic pleocytosis. Despite intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, oseltamivir, and intensive care, she died approximately 36 h after admission. The diagnosis of AHLE was clinicoradiological because neuropathological examination was not performed, and the symmetric thalamic and brainstem involvement overlapped with influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This case illustrates the fulminant course that influenza A-associated hemorrhagic encephalopathy can take in young adults, the value of early multisequence imaging, and the difficulty of distinguishing AHLE from ANE without neuropathological confirmation.