Table 2. Features to be Considered in the Differential Diagnosis of MELAS in Elderly Cerebral Infarction Patients.

Recurrent stroke-like episodes

Head scans (CT and MRI) that are inconsistent with the main blood-vessel-dominant region

CT scans revealing calcification around the basal ganglia

Atrophy of the cerebrum

Sensorineural hearing loss from a young age

Progressive higher brain dysfunction

Emaciation

Presence of a family history

Recurrent seizures

Disturbances of consciousness

CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.