An introduction to MR imaging-based stroke morphometry

The anatomic description of the stroke lesion is an essential component of clinical diagnosis and treatment and has become an established tool in investigations into underlying stroke pathophysiology. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging permits quantitative evaluation of the distributed consequences of the pathologic stroke insult. General properties of stroke effects have emerged using these tools. This article surveys the classes of morphometric data that are available from conventional MR images, the methods for extracting quantitative results, and samples of the application of these methods to stroke. These samples highlight anatomic-based considerations regarding the nature of stroke and its repercussions within the brain parenchyma.