Perfusion imaging in ischaemic stroke

Perfusion imaging allows the blood flow to the tissue to be imaged. It is currently widely applied to the management of acute ischaemic stroke. Using either Computerised Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques, perfusion maps can be created in a short enough time to allow their routine use in clinical practice. Perfusion Imaging enables the physician to directly estimate the tissue at risk which can be salvaged with reperfusion, enabling appropriate patient selection. Perfusion imaging however has its limitations which need to be kept in mind when these studies are interpreted. Although perfusion imaging is widely used, the evidence to support its routine use in acute stroke is somewhat sparse and therefore there are no clear cut guidelines as to its role in this context. The work in progress using permeability mapping and molecular imaging techniques will further augment the place of these techniques in the overall management of acute stroke. There are very few centres in Pakistan offering routine perfusion imaging prior to thrombolysis.