Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Magnetic resonance imaging protocols in pediatric stroke
Susan T Sotardi1,2, Cesar Augusto P F Alves3, Suraj D Serai3
1Division of Neuroradiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. sotardis@chop.edu.
Insights
Timely diagnosis of pediatric stroke requires tailored neuroimaging protocols. Awareness of unique pediatric stroke risk factors and imaging differences from adults is critical for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Pediatric stroke diagnosis and causes differ from adults, often leading to delays.
- Effective evaluation and treatment depend on appropriate neuroimaging protocols.
- Unique pediatric stroke risk factors and the need for sedation require special considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review standard and rapid MRI protocols for diagnosing pediatric stroke.
- To highlight key differences between pediatric and adult stroke imaging.
- To emphasize the importance of tailored imaging based on clinical scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and expert consensus guidelines.
- Discussion of MRI protocols considering age, infarct type, and risk factors.
- Comparison of pediatric and adult stroke imaging approaches.
Main Results:
- Standard and rapid MRI protocols are essential for pediatric stroke evaluation.
- Clinical scenario and patient factors guide protocol selection.
- Recognizing differences from adult stroke imaging is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Tailored MRI protocols are vital for accurate and timely pediatric stroke diagnosis.
- Multidisciplinary awareness of pediatric stroke is critical.
- Adherence to expert guidelines improves patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Neuroimaging protocols play an important role in the timely evaluation and treatment of pediatric stroke and its mimics. MRI protocols for stroke in the pediatric population should be guided by the clinical scenario and neurologic examination, with consideration of age, suspected infarct type and underlying risk factors. Acute stroke diagnosis and causes in pediatric age groups can differ significantly from those in adult populations, and delay in stroke diagnosis among children is a common problem. An awareness of pediatric stroke presentations and risk factors among pediatric emergency physicians, neurologists, pediatricians, subspecialists and radiologists is critical to ensuring timely diagnosis. Given special considerations related to unique pediatric stroke risk factors and the need for sedation in some children, expert consensus guidelines for the imaging of suspected pediatric infarct have been proposed. In this article the authors review standard and rapid MRI protocols for the diagnosis of pediatric stroke, as well as the key differences between pediatric and adult stroke imaging.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI