Characteristics and outcome of acute stroke patients not investigated with computerised tomography scan

It is desirable that all acute stroke patients are investigated with a computerised tomography (CT) scan, but there may be situations when this is not possible.

To investigate the characteristics and outcome of acute stroke patients not investigated with a CT scan and whether 'not performing a CT scan' influences mortality.

Consecutive acute stroke patients admitted to a general hospital were studied for baseline characteristics, previous stroke, pre-stroke Rankin score, post-stroke neurological details, functional disability, complications and acute phase and 3-month mortality. Patients were categorised into two groups depending on whether or not they were investigated with a CT scan. chi(2) and regression analysis were performed to study characteristics and mortality.

Ninety-four of the 296 patients did not undergo investigation with a CT scan. These patients were older (p = 0.001), had suffered previous strokes and had a poorer general health prior to admission (p < 0.001). Although there was no difference in clinical stroke syndromes and immediate post-stroke functional impairment, they had a greater impairment of level of consciousness (p = 0.003) and had a higher acute phase and 3-month mortality (p = 0.001). Not being investigated with a CT scan had an adverse influence on 3-month mortality independent of other variables.

Whilst not investigating with a CT scan in acute stroke patients carries a poor prognosis, a group of patients may be managed without this investigation because of their poor pre-existing general health. These facts may be considered when preparing local guidelines for brain imaging for acute stroke patients.