What does a CT perfusion scan show?

Computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging shows which areas of the brain are adequately supplied or perfused with blood and provides detailed information on delivery of blood or blood flow to the brain. CT perfusion scanning is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

How is CT stroke diagnosed?

Physicians use CT of the head to detect a stroke from a blood clot or bleeding within the brain. To improve the detection and characterization of stroke, CT angiography (CTA) may be performed. In CTA, a contrast material may be injected intravenously and images are obtained of the cerebral blood vessels.

Does CT perfusion rule out stroke?

CT perfusion allows various aspects of cerebral perfusion to be determined. Its primary role in acute stroke is in determining whether brain tissue is hypoperfused and therefore at risk of infarction, or whether it is already irreversibly damaged. It can also make major contributions to diagnosis.

What is rapid CT perfusion?

Rapid CTP automatically delivers quantified and color-coded CT perfusion maps that help physicians quickly assess salvageable brain tissue—enabling faster clinical decisions that facilitate better patient outcomes.

What are the clinical indications of brain perfusion imaging?

Commonly accepted clinical indications for brain SPECT include: Dementia (early diagnosis, differentiation from normal ageing, and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from other neurodegenerative diseases), epilepsy (localization of epileptic focus by ictal and interictal studies), movement disorders.

What is perfusion MRI used for?

Perfusion MRI is a promising tool in assessing stroke, brain tumors, and patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the impediments that have limited the use of perfusion MRI can be overcome to allow integration of these methods into modern neuroimaging protocols.

Can CT scan detect ischemic stroke?

Computed tomography (CT) is an established tool for the diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Nonenhanced CT can help exclude hemorrhage and detect “early signs” of infarction but cannot reliably demonstrate irreversibly damaged brain tissue in the hyperacute stage of ischemic stroke.

What can CT scans detect in the brain?

A CT of the brain may be performed to assess the brain for tumors and other lesions, injuries, intracranial bleeding, structural anomalies (e.g., hydrocephalus , infections, brain function or other conditions), particularly when another type of examination (e.g., X-rays or a physical exam) are inconclusive.

Does CT perfusion use contrast?

Perfusion CT is performed by monitoring only the first pass of an iodinated contrast agent bolus through the cerebral circulation (,23).

What is the goal in performing perfusion studies for patients with acute stroke?

ADVANCED STROKE IMAGING USING ANGIOGRAPHY AND PERFUSION Angiography in acute stroke aims to provide the location and extent of any potentially treatable thrombus or embolus causing acute arterial occlusion whether this affects intra- or extracranial vessels.

What is CT perfusion stroke?

CT perfusion may overestimate infarct core on admission, especially in the early time window of a stroke, by predicting lesion in areas that will not show infarct on follow-up imaging. This mismatch is known as a ghost infarct core 8.

When is CT perfusion needed?

CT perfusion can be useful in the work-up of patients with acute stroke. The value of the additional diagnostic information gained should, however, be weighed against treatment delays and the added contrast and radiation exposure that are incurred by obtaining a CTP study.