MRI Better than CT for Diagnosing Stroke

When it comes to stroke, speed is of the essence. NIH researchers have found that MRI is better than CT at diagnosing stroke.

• MRI diagnoses acute strokes 83% of the time compared to CT at only 26% of the time
• MRI is better than CT at diagnosing acute hemorrhagic stroke and chronic stroke
• MRI was as good as CT for detecting intracranial hemorrhage
• Within the initial three hours during which thrombolytic therapy would be successful at treating stroke, MRI detected 46% of stroke compared to CT’s 7%

The study concluded that CT scans should not be the standard diagnostic instrument for diagnosing acute stroke. MRI is highly accurate and minimizes delay in treatment.

Visit the Internet Stroke Center for more information on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed axial tomography (CT), and stroke.

MedPage Today, January 26, 2007
Photo: pixieclipx

Tags: magnetic resonance imaging, mri, ct, computed axial tomography, cat, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diseases, illness, health