Safety and feasibility of a CT protocol for acute stroke: combined CT, CT angiography, and CT perfusion imaging in 53 consecutive patients.

By combining non-contrast-enhanced CT imaging, CT perfusion imaging, and cranial-to-chest CT angiography (CTA), the entire cerebrovascular axis can be imaged during acute stroke. To our knowledge, the safety and feasibility of this technique have not been previously reported. In a consecutive series of 53 patients with suspected acute stroke, renal failure was not observed. Median imaging time was 27 minutes (range, 9-67 minutes). Image quality was degraded by motion in 1.3% of vessels studied. Dynamic CT perfusion data were successfully obtained in 52 patients (98% of patients). High-speed, multisection, helical CT scanners allow rapid, safe imaging of the entire neurovascular axis in patients with acute stroke by use of combined CT imaging, CT perfusion imaging, and CTA.

[1]  Jean-Philippe Thiran,et al.  Prognostic accuracy of cerebral blood flow measurement by perfusion computed tomography, at the time of emergency room admission, in acute stroke patients , 2002, Annals of neurology.

[2]  W P Dillon,et al.  Multisection dynamic CT perfusion for acute cerebral ischemia: the "toggling-table" technique. , 2001, AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology.

[3]  Matthias Koenig,et al.  Quantitative Assessment of the Ischemic Brain by Means of Perfusion-Related Parameters Derived From Perfusion CT , 2001, Stroke.

[4]  R. Higashida,et al.  Angiographic collaterals in acute stroke - relationship to clinical presentation and outcome: The PROACT II trial , 2001, Stroke.

[5]  S. Sidney,et al.  Short-term prognosis after emergency department diagnosis of TIA. , 2000, JAMA.

[6]  Glenn B. Anderson,et al.  CT Angiography for the Detection and Characterization of Carotid Artery Bifurcation Disease , 2000, Stroke.

[7]  J R Reichenbach,et al.  Acute stroke evaluated by time-to-peak mapping during initial and early follow-up perfusion CT studies. , 1999, AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology.

[8]  Wade S. Smith,et al.  Practice Variability in Management of Transient Ischemic Attacks , 1999, European Neurology.

[9]  S. Futami,et al.  Clinical usefulness of and problems with three-dimensional CT angiography for the evaluation of arteriosclerotic stenosis of the carotid artery: comparison with conventional angiography, MRA, and ultrasound sonography. , 1999, Surgical neurology.

[10]  K D Hopper,et al.  Measuring carotid artery stenosis using CT angiography: the dilemma of artifactual lumen eccentricity. , 1998, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[11]  R N Bryan,et al.  Practice guidelines for the use of imaging in transient ischemic attacks and acute stroke. A report of the Stroke Council, American Heart Association. , 1997, Stroke.

[12]  K. Sartor,et al.  Potential of CT angiography in acute ischemic stroke. , 1997, AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology.

[13]  H. Slyter.  Guidelines for the management of patients with acute ischemic stroke. , 1995, Stroke.

[14]  J. Grotta,et al.  Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke A Statement for Healthcare Professionals , 2005 .