Evaluation of Diagnostic Performance of Cerebral Perfusion Scans in Pseudo-Stroke

Stroke, Acute

When a patient is received with the context of acute stroke, they undergo a fast neurological evaluation and obtain a basic appraisal composed of a non-contrast endovascular cerebral scan and an angiography scan of intracranial blood vessels and the neck. Once the structural lesion (hemorrhage, tumor, etc.) is absent, signs of early infracts and confirmed acute intracranial arterial occlusion, the possibility of a pseudo-stroke dwells in the differential diagnostic. Certain characteristics of history and clinical evaluation create sufficient doubt to evoke the possibility of a pseudo-stroke. In fact, this population is mostly female and the cardiovascular risk factors are less prevalent in this group than for the group of stroke victims. It is on average the youngest and presents a less severe deficit. For the rest, medical antecedents often help to evoke a diagnosis of pseudo-stroke.

With this study, the investigators wish to evaluate the diagnostic value of two additional radiological examinations: 1. Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging to evaluate blood flow in the brain; 2. Imaging by magnetic resonance (MRI) of the brain to detect lesions from a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) not visible on standard imaging of the brain. The proposed additional examinations (CTP and MRI) are tests that are currently used at the CHUM. Those are not experimental tests. These tests are commonly used when doctors wants a further investigation to clarify the cause of the neurological symptoms. These tests are usually done in a semi-urgent or non-urgent situations. In the present study they will be done urgently. The investigators wish to determine if obtaining these additional tests in emergency will change the decision of whether to administer the drug (thrombolysis). The investigators want to determine whether one imaging test is sufficient or if both exams are needed to help clinical decision-making. Please note that urgent access to perfusion CT and brain MRI is not considered routine care, since the value of these additional tests has yet to be demonstrated.

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