Radiological Imaging for Early Intervention in Stroke: A Scopic Review

Abstract

Introduction: An event of stroke can be very debilitating if not treated and early intervention is critical. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Timely intervention with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) can save lives with appropriate radiological imaging plays a crucial role. The aim of this study is to discuss the role of radiological imaging in the early detection and management of stroke.
Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed and Medline to identify eligible studies. In the primary screening, titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine the eligibility of the study. Later on, the full text of the eligible articles was retrieved using the university's online library. The included studies were subjected to data extraction with two reviewers and the extracted data were reported in data extraction sheets. The data were organized in a qualitative data synthesis without meta-analysis.
Conclusion: Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT), if done rapidly, many lives can be saved. Various radiological imaging is required to detect an episode of stroke and assess whether a patient qualifies for these interventions. Unenhanced CT is the most basic and easily available scan for detecting stroke and differentiating it from hemorrhage. CT angiography and CT perfusion provide a more detailed view of the vasculature and several perfusion parameters, which further helps in assessing the severity of stroke. Finally, various images of MRI can be used to assess structural changes in the brain parenchyma, but the availability and duration of the scan limit their use.