Evaluation of CT Perfusion in the Setting of Cerebral Ischemia: Patterns and Pitfalls

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 31; no. 9; pp. 1552 - 1563
• Main Authors: LUI, Y. W, TANG, E. R, ALLMENDINGER, A. M, SPEKTOR, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL American Society of Neuroradiology 01-10-2010
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain Ischemia - diagnostic imaging; Diagnostic Errors - prevention & control; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Nervous system; Perfusion Imaging - methods; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Review; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Evaluation; Nervous system diseases; Ischemia; Radiodiagnosis; Central nervous system; Cardiovascular disease; Computerized axial tomography; Encephalon
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a2026

CTP has a growing role in evaluating stroke. It can be performed immediately following NCCT and has advantages of accessibility and speed. Differentiation of salvageable ischemic penumbra from unsalvageable core infarct may help identify patients most likely to benefit from thrombectomy or thrombolysis. Still, CTP interpretation can be complex. We review normal and ischemic perfusion patterns followed by an illustrative series of technical/diagnostic challenges of CTP interpretation in the setting of acute stroke syndromes.