HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hand, P.J. Articles by Wardlaw, J.M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hand, P.J. Articles by Wardlaw, J.M.

CT for Acute Ischaemic Stroke

Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK. Email: pjh{at}skull.dcn.ed.ac.uk

EXTRACT

INTRODUCTION

A CT scan of the brain is an indispensable component of the clinical assessment of patients with acute stroke. It rapidly demonstrates stroke-mimicking conditions, and – within the first week of stroke – is still the best way to differentiate haemorrhage from infarct. However, the old view that the CT was essentially normal in ischaemic stroke is no longer valid. Subtle, early signs of infarction have been identified, which help to confirm the diagnosis and may guide treatment. In this review, we will discuss some of the factors that influence the appearance of the CT scan in acute stroke. We will describe the early signs of infarction, what they mean, and areas of uncertainty that require more study. We will highlight some of the limitations of CT scanning, suggest clinical situations where MR may be appropriate, and what sequences should be requested.

In 2001, and for the foreseeable future, CT is ...

[PDF of this article]