The diagnostic procedure in acute stroke by multi-sequence MRI

Objective To study the best diagnostic imaging procedure after acute stroke.Methods 53 patients with acute stroke were recruited within 72 hours after symptom onset.CT was performed in all patients firstly, then T1 weighted-imaging( T1 WI), T2 weighted-imaging( T2WI ), gradient recalled echo T2 * weighted-imaging( GRE-T2 * WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) were examined at 1.5T.Furthermore 15 patients with ischemic stroke received perfusion-weighted imaging(PWI) examination.Results 15 patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage and one patient of hemorrhagic brain tumor appeared clear on GRE-T2 * WI.3 patients with transient ischemic attack(TIA) were normal on T1WI ,T2WI ,GRE-T2* WI and DWI.18 cases with cerebral infarction appeared normal on GRE-T2 * WI within 6 hours after symptom onset, and 7 cases of them underwent PWI examination, the signal intensity of 3 cases were PWI ≥ DWI and of 4 cases were PWI = DWI.14 patients appeared hyperintense on GRE-T2 * WI within 6 ～72 hours after symptom onset.8 patients of them underwent PWI examination,the signal intensity of 6 cases were PWI≥DWI and of 2 cases were PWI = DWI.Of 14 patients,7 patients appeared as 1 ～ 18 dot or patchy hypointense whose diameter was about 2 ～ 5mm on GRE-T2 * WI.Another case of headache with hemiplegia and the side of the limb didnt show abnormalities on the CT, but showed a low signal in ambient cistern on T2 * WI and was proved to be subarachnoid hemorrhage.Conclusion After acute stroke,multi-sequence MRI enables the "one-stop shopping" imaging of cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral infarction and TIA in a shorter time,makes the state of micro-bleeding clear,determines ischemic penumbra,and even guides for thrombolytic treatment. Key words: Multi sequence MRI;  Acute stroke;  Diagnostic procedure