Early CT signs in acute ischaemic stroke
Keywords:
cerebral vascular accident, computerised axial tomographyAbstract
The usefulness of CT in the first hours after acute ischaemic stroke has been highlighted. It has been shown to
positively diagnose cerebral infarction and can contribute
to determine the eligibility of the patient for fibrinolysis.
It is important that all doctors responsible for the initial
approach of stroke patients are able to recognise early CT signs of acute ischaemic stroke.
Ischaemia results in changes in cerebral tissue density
which are present on a CT scan taken during the first 4
hours after a stroke. This has been demonstrated in animal and human studies.
Ischaemic oedema, the hyper-dense artery sign and cerebral oedema are early CT signs, that are potentially visible in
the first hours after ischaemic stroke. Each of this signs has
its own meaning and implications, which can help decide
whether a patient is eligible or not for fibrinolysis.
Images of each of the above mentioned signs are presented.
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