The impact of imaging modalities in diagnosis of ischemic stroke: A review

Abstract

Ischemia is caused by a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the brain and encountered the most common cause of stroke. Recent report in Saudi Arabia indicates that; 29 stroke cases for every 100,000 people annually for individuals residing Saudi Arabia. Ultrasound techniques such as transcranial acoustic angiography, Doppler energy imaging, Three-dimensional craniocerebral imaging and ultrasound thrombolysis are novel and valuable techniques in the study of cerebrovascular diseases. CT scanning continues to prevail as the first line imaging modality due to wide availability in the community. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a commonly performed MRI sequence for evaluation of acute ischemic stroke, and is sensitive in the detection of small and early infarcts. Early PET studies already showed discrepancies between flow and glucose uptake in ischemic areas. SPECT also help in assessing severity and secondary injury which is related to acute ischemic stroke.