Imaging of an acute stroke patient when planning therapy for arterial thrombosis

Intra-arterial thrombectomy is a highly effective mode of treatment for properly selected patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Imaging studies are essential for making a decision on the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. In imaging, a combination of unenhanced CT scan of the head and CT angiography of the carotid and cerebral arteries during one imaging procedure is recommended for all patients coming into the hospital within the time window for thrombectomy, for patients with unclear time of onset of the symptoms and for whom cerebral hemorrhage is excluded as the cause in unenhanced CT scan. This may further be complemented with CT perfusion imaging. In certain acute situations magnetic resonance imaging is also useful.