Take 6: What are the indications for cerebral MRI vs CT scan?

CT scans are quite insensitive to small or acute strokes, so there is always going to be a place for MRI, says Dr Andrew Wong

CT scans are quite insensitive to small or acute strokes, so there is alwys going to be a place for MRI, says Dr Andrew Wong, a neurologist and stroke physician.

“MRI is always going to be our gold standard for detecting stroke,” he says.

“In those first few hours before there has been any swelling someone can have a massive stroke and not see anything on the CT scan.

“So the MRI scan will be of use in clarifying the location of the stroke in the hospital setting regardless of what the CT scan showed.”

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