The importance of CT perfusion for diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke in anterior circulation

Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a functional examination of brain tissue that characterises the state of cerebral perfusion and provides information about the current status of the circulation. CTP can improve diagnostic accuracy of ischemic stroke. Published studies showed that perfusion imaging improves the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke in anterior circulation and allows patients to be referred for treatment outside the time window for administration of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In this review we discuss technical aspects of CTP, clinical significance of CTP in anterior circulation stroke (ACS) and its role in diagnostics of stroke mimics.

Automated summary

Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a functional examination that evaluates cerebral perfusion and improves diagnostic accuracy of ischemic stroke. It has been shown to benefit patients with anterior circulation stroke, allowing treatment referral outside the time window for thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Additionally, CTP plays a role in the diagnosis of stroke mimics.