Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

Detection of thrombus in acute ischemic stroke: value of thin-section noncontrast-computed tomography.

Kim EY, Lee SK, Kim DJ, Suh SH, Kim J, Heo JH, Kim DI

Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiologic Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies on the hyperdense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign were conducted using > or =5-mm thickness noncontrast-computed tomography (NCT). The purpose of this study was to compare thin-section NCT with 5-mm NCT in the detection of thrombus in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Enrolled were consecutive 51 patients with acute infarction in the anterior or MCA territory. All patients underwent both 5-mm NCT and either 1.25- or 1-mm thin-section helical NCT within 6 hours of symptom onset. Patients were assigned to either the single or multisegmental occlusion group, depending on the thrombus extent on thin-section NCT. Thin-section NCT and 5-mm NCT were compared in the detection of thrombi. RESULTS: Thrombi were identified in 45 patients (88%) on thin-section NCT and 16 on 5-mm NCT (31%; P<0.001). No occlusion was seen in 6 patients. Both sensitivity and specificity of thin-section NCT in detection of thrombus were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Acute thrombus can be detected with higher sensitivity on thin-section NCT than on 5-mm NCT, and its extent is more accurately determined on thin-section NCT.

Published 23 November 2005 in Stroke, 36(12): 2745-7.
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