Radiology of stroke

Stroke is a clinical syndrome.(1) In the investigation of stroke and transi ent ischaemic attack (TIA) imaging is used to differentiate: vascular from non-vascular lesions, such as tumours or infections ischaemic from haemorrhagic stroke arterial from venous infarction and to distinguish anterior and posterior circulation strokes to determine whether a tight carotid stenosis is symptomatic or not. In the future imaging may be used to show the extent of salvageable tissue in acute stroke before treatment. Imaging should be used to direct manageme nt. Investigation should be organised to resolve specific, preferably artic ulated, management dilemmas. This may include imaging to clarify and guide prognosis.