CT-perfusion in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Current approaches to the diagnostics of acute stroke rely on methods of visualization that assess not only anatomical changes of the ischemic brain, but also allow to evaluate the potential effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic therapy beyond therapeutic time window and to study pathophysiological features of cerebral ischemia. Perfusion CT (PCT) is discussed herein as a reliable and easily available tool for acute ischemic stroke diagnostics, used as an add on to conventional CT scanning. PCTrapidly distinguishes the volume of irreversible damaged tissue and penumbra, and hence to choose optimal treatment approach and to assess its effectiveness. Technical and clinical features of PCT are reviewed, along with interpretation of PCT results in the view of pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral ischemia, advantages and disadvantages of the technique and perspectives of its further development.

Keywords

• ct-perfusion
• acute ischemic stroke