Brain Ischemia: CT and MRI Techniques in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2017 Source:European Journal of Radiology Author(s): Pedro Vilela, Howard A. Rowley Imaging plays a central role for patient selection for both intravenous and intra-arterial treatments. Computed tomography (CT)/CT angiography or magnetic resonance (MR)/MR angiography imaging are used to exclude stroke mimics and haemorrhage, to determine the cause and mechanism of stroke, to define the extension of brain infarct and to identify an arterial large-vessel occlusion. Multiparametric CT/MR imaging may be used to identify the extension of potential viable brain tissue (penumbra) and of irreversible brain lesion (core) using CT perfusion and/or diffusion-weighed and perfusion weighted MR imaging. The status of the arterial collateral circulation and the type and extension of the clot may be assessed by imaging. The accuracy, clinical significance for treatment selection and clinical outcome, of different imaging techniques is reviewed. Imaging may identify the patients that will be benefit more from revascularization therapies independently of the conventional therapeutic time window allowing individualized tailor made AIS treatment and improving individual patient outcome.
Source: European Journal of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research