Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of stroke
From: Role of imaging in early diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke: a literature review
Modality | Acquisition time | Accuracy | Safety | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | It takes 30–90 min to complete the scan | DWI is highly sensitive in showing the abnormalities and lesions | Patients with heart pacemaker or a metallic foreign body cannot be scanned through MRI | Less available |
Computed Tomography (CT) | Requires less than 10Â min | Non-contrast CT is less accurate for detection of acute stroke, but CTA is highly sensitive for LVO | Ionizing radiation and contrast agents make CT primarily unavailable for patients with a history of allergic reaction, renal failure, and pregnant women | Common, cost-efficient |
Ultrasonography (US) | Usually takes 15–30 min to complete | It is usually the choice modality for screening the carotid stenosis, but the accuracy is highly dependent on the sonographer’s ability | It is non-invasive and has no radiation | Widely available in almost every clinical setting, cost-efficient |