Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association
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J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · May 2014
ReviewSearching for salvageable brain: the detection of ischemic penumbra using various imaging modalities?
Various imaging modalities are used to identify the ischemic penumbra in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although single-photon emission computed tomography (CT), perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perfusion CT are used to evaluate residual cerebral blood flow in the ischemic area, validation of the perfusion threshold for the penumbra has not been established. ⋯ A mismatch of these abnormalities is thought to correspond to the ischemic penumbra and has been used in clinical trials. Although new ligands, such as (18)F-fluoromisonidazole, that bind to hypoxic but viable ischemic tissue are currently available, positron emission tomography has yet to be developed as a clinical tool.