Diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction: comparison of CT and MR imaging.
The appearance of acute cerebral infarction was evaluated on MR images and CT scans obtained in 31 patients within 24 hr of the ictus; follow-up examinations were performed 7-10 days later in 20 of these patients and were correlated with the initial studies. Acute infarcts were visible more frequently on MR images than on CT scans (82% vs 58%). Proton density- and T2-weighted scans usually demonstrated regions of hyperintensity corresponding to acute infarcts, but proton density-weighted scans often showed better definition of the lesion in terms of regional anatomy. Follow-up MR images and CT scans identified approximately 88% of subacute strokes, 54% of which were better defined and/or larger than on the initial examination. In 20% of lesions, "hemorrhagic" characteristics were seen on at least one examination. CT and MR imaging were comparable in delineating acute hemorrhage, but MR detected more cases with evidence of hemorrhage on follow-up examinations. MR appears to be more sensitive than CT in the imaging of acute stroke.
Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
R N
RN
Bryan
L M
LM
Levy
W D
WD
Whitlow
J M
JM
Killian
T J
TJ
Preziosi
J A
JA
Rosario
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed