Computerised tomography and stroke

To evaluate the utilisation of CT diagnostic imaging in patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, and to identify factors which influence the use of CT imaging in stroke. Two hundred and fifty consecutive (155 females) stroke patients were assessed median age 76 years (range 39-95 y). Ninety-seven patients underwent CT scanning; median time to scan from admission was two days (range 0-43). The time to CT scanning was significantly shorter in patients aged < 65 years (p < 0.001), and in patients with a non-disabling stroke (p < 0.05). The factors (odds ratios and 95% confidence limits) significantly associated with CT scanning were male sex (2.21:1.31-3.74); normal Glasgow coma score (2.48:1.59-3.85); Rankin score 1-3 (6.40:1.74-23.56); age < 65 years (10.23:4.49-23.32) and no previous cerebrovascular event (1.97:1.10-3.51). In this study, those patients who would benefit most from medical intervention with antiplatelet agents to reduce the risk of recurrence were more likely to receive CT diagnostic imaging.