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Given that protocols for the use of thrombolytics to treat ischemic stroke are time-sensitive, is computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the better imaging study? Researchers compared the two tests in a prospective study of 356 consecutive patients (median age, 76; range, 21 to 100) who were referred to a single hospital’s stroke team and underwent both CT and MRI as part of their work-ups.
Two neuroradiologists and two stroke neurologists who were blinded to patients’ clinical information read the imaging studies. Unanimity on the presence of acute stroke was achieved in 80% of MRI versus 58% of CT reads. Among the 217 patients whose final diagnosis by treating physicians was acute stroke, 185 strokes (85%) were detect…