Scout it out! Wake-Up Stroke Protocol to Expedite MRI in Stroke Patients

• Published in: Current problems in diagnostic radiology Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 293 - 295
• Main Authors: Sandhu, Sukhwinder J.S., Valluri, Sandeep K., Boatright, Greggory D, Singh, Rahul B., Gupta, Vivek, Huang, Josephine, Watson, Robert E., Miller, David A., Bhatt, Alok A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Stroke - diagnostic imaging; Thrombolytic Therapy - adverse effects; Thrombolytic Therapy - methods; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
• ISSN: 0363-0188; 1535-6302
• DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2021.11.005

In wake-up stroke patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to identify patients that would benefit from thrombolytic therapy. Our multidisciplinary stroke team developed and implemented a workflow to rapidly identify patients that are able to safely undergo an MRI exam, thus decreasing time to treatment. We employ a full-body CT scout image in our CT head protocol for acute stroke in order to identify implantable devices and foreign bodies. This protocol highlights the importance of radiology playing an active role on the multidisciplinary stroke team in order to effectively and promptly treat patients.