Computed tomography and computed tomography angiography findings predict functional impairment in patients with minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack.

IntroductionAbnormalities on acute magnetic resonance imaging predict outcome in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients. We hypothesised that noncontrast computed tomography and computed tomography angiography findings in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients would also predict functional outcome.MethodsWe analysed consecutive patients with a transient ischaemic attack or a minor stroke with an National Institute of Health Stroke Scale ≤3 who were assessed with a noncontrast computed tomography and CT angiography of the circle of Willis and neck within 24 h of symptom onset. We assessed the association between clinical or imaging features and functional impairment on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS≥2) at 90 days.ResultsAmong 457 patients, the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 1. Median time from symptom onset to noncontrast computed tomography was 278 min (interquartile range 151–505) and median delay from noncontrast computed tomography to CT ...