Magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the evaluation of stroke and neurovascular disease

Abstract

Early intervention remains vital in the management of acute stroke. The goals of imaging techniques are to establish a diagnosis as early as possible and to obtain accurate information about the intracranial vasculature and brain perfusion to guide therapeutic decisionmaking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) are valuable techniques in the evaluation of acute stroke and can provide diagnostic information on the underlying pathophysiological changes. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) facilitate the diagnosis of ischaemic stroke by accentuating abnormal flow kinetics and the diagnosis of nonischaemic stroke by assisting in the detection and characterisation of intracranial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Contrast agents may also be employed in the characterisation of vascular atherosclerotic plaque. Gadobutrol (Gadovist®, Gadavist®) is a high relaxivity contrast agent which combines an excellent safety profile and proven high efficacy. As the only high concentration contrast media it allows to inject at a small and compact bolus, which has a direct impact on the performance of MRA or perfusion MRI procedure. © TOUCH MEDICAL MEDIA 2013.