Field Of Vision
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World J Radiol. Sep 28, 2012; 4(9): 401-404
Published online Sep 28, 2012. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v4.i9.401
Diagnostic neuroradiology: Ready for the neuro-interventional age?
Karl-Olof Lövblad, Vitor Mendes Pereira
Karl-Olof Lövblad, Vitor Mendes Pereira, Service Neuro-diagnostique et Neuro-interventionnel, Geneva University Hospitals, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Author contributions: Lövblad KO wrote the manuscript; and Pereira VM discussed and revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Karl-Olof Lövblad, MD, Service Neuro-diagnostique et Neuro-interventionnel, Geneva University Hospitals, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret Gentil, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. karl-olof.lovblad@hcuge.ch
Telephone: +41-22-3727033 Fax: +41-22-3727072
Received: August 22, 2012
Revised: September 7, 2012
Accepted: September 14, 2012
Published online: September 28, 2012
Abstract

Acute cerebral ischemia or stroke is currently considered an emergency for which therapeutic options are available if the therapeutic window of 4.5 h is respected. Imaging modalities have progressed greatly over the last few decades, rendering ischemia detectable in the first hours after the event. However, in order for treatment to be efficacious it is necessary to speed up all the processes before the start of therapy. Thus, one must decrease the time to arrival at the hospital and to the radiological method that is to be employed (be it computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging); only then will the medical or interventional techniques available fulfill their potential.

Keywords: Stroke; Interventional neuroradiology; Thrombolysis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Computed tomography