The role of MRI in cerebral infarction

Although nuclear magnetic resonance has existed since the 1940s and was used extensively in chemistry labs for molecular structural determination, it was not until the 1970s that the possibility for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was realized. It is only in the last few years that the great potential of MRI to visualize the brain, joints and several other structures has been recognized. This article discusses some basic pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia as it relates to MRI and focuses on some of the advantages and disadvantages of MRI in visualizing and studying many of the resulting lesions.