Stroke neurologists’ diagnoses are wrong one-third of the time in patients presenting with minor neurological events resembling a transient ischaemic attack, an international study suggests.

The authors of the study, known as DOUBT, which included Australian patients, conclude it is important for even patients with mild symptoms suggestive of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) to have an MRI scan to aid diagnosis.

Canadian-led researchers enrolled 1028 patients presenting to a stroke neurologist (71% of the cohort) or to an ED within eight days of having a possible minor stroke or TIA.

They included patients aged 40 or more, with no prior history of stroke, reporting a focal neurological event and regarded as being at low risk of actually having had ischaemia.