The role of imaging in acute ischemic stroke

Neurosurg Focus. 2014 Jan;36(1):E3. doi: 10.3171/2013.10.FOCUS13396.

Abstract

Neuroimaging has expanded beyond its traditional diagnostic role and become a critical tool in the evaluation and management of stroke. The objectives of imaging include prompt accurate diagnosis, treatment triage, prognosis prediction, and secondary preventative precautions. While capitalizing on the latest treatment options and expanding upon the "time is brain" doctrine, the ultimate goal of imaging is to maximize the number of treated patients and improve the outcome of one the most costly and morbid disease. A broad overview of comprehensive multimodal stroke imaging is presented here to affirm its utilization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology
  • Brain Ischemia / surgery
  • Cerebral Revascularization
  • Collateral Circulation
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endovascular Procedures / methods
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / pathology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnosis
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / pathology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / pathology
  • Stroke / surgery
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed