[The role of magnetic resonance in acute stroke]

The combined use of different techniques of magnetic resonance, such as angiography by magnetic resonance, microscopic tissue diffusion, proton perfusion and spectroscopy, has meant a great advance in early diagnosis of cerebrovascular accidents. They also give relatively precise information as to the presence and extent of potentially reversible zones of border-line ischaemia, with their prognostic and therapeutic implications. Combined analysis of the different parameters which can be measured using magnetic resonance, may in the near future, permit this technique to be used for selection of patients who may benefit from the active treatment of cerebral ischaemia during the hyper-acute phase, and monitorization of the effect of this treatment.