Role of Early CT in Predicting Recovery of Ischemic Stroke

Background: Prediction of functional outcome immediately after stroke onset is difficult but become easier once it is clear that the patient is likely to survive. Several prognostic factors have been identified for outcome after stroke. Infarction size and site may have a role in motor and functional recovery after stroke. Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the role of early CT in predicting motor function recovery after stroke. Methods: This is a prospective hospital–based clinical study includes 78 patients with ischemic stroke with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical assessment was also done at 1, 7, 30, and 90 days poststroke. CT Brain was carried out in day one after stroke and repeated after one week. Results: According to NIHSS values, 65.4% of patients had no motor recovery and 34.6% of them experienced motor recovery. Infarction size positively influence stroke severity (NIH30) 30 days after stroke onset and this was statistically significant (p=.026). Regarding CT changes one week after stroke onset, the subcortical infarction has a higher significant negative interaction with the motor score (MRC score of upper limb) of the patients (p=.007) in comparison to cortical stroke (p=.020). Conclusion: Overt role of early CT changes is obtained in predicting functional motor recovery of ischemic cerebral stroke if it was accompanied with clinical evaluation. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat Neurosurg. 2010; 47(3): 407-412]