INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
546
THE ROLE OF NEUROIMAGING (MRI AND CT) IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF
ISCHEMIC STROKE
Sindorova Jasmina Farxod qizi
Tashkent State Medical University
farkhodovna074@gmail.com
Baxriyeva Hilola O’rinboy qizi
Tashkent State Medical University
Kenjayeva Barno Azim qizi
kenjayevabarno3@gmail.com
Annotation:
Ischemic stroke is one of the most pressing issues in modern medicine, and its
early diagnosis plays a crucial role in preserving patients’ quality of life and reducing
complications. Neuroimaging methods, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), are considered key diagnostic tools in the early detection of stroke.
CT provides rapid results in differentiating between hemorrhagic and ischemic types during the
acute stage, while MRI demonstrates high sensitivity in identifying small lesions and early
changes in brain tissue. This article analyzes the clinical significance of ischemic stroke, the
role of neuroimaging in its early diagnosis, and the capabilities of CT and MRI based on
modern scientific literature.
Keywords:
ischemic stroke, neuroimaging, CT, MRI, early diagnosis, diagnostics.
Introduction:
Ischemic stroke is currently one of the most widespread neurological diseases
worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 12 million new cases of
stroke are recorded annually across the globe, of which 80 percent are ischemic types [1; 2020:
p.44]. This condition is characterized not only by a high mortality rate but also by severe
disability. The first few hours of ischemic stroke are crucial, as accurate and timely diagnosis
plays a decisive role in saving lives. In clinical practice, if the patient is diagnosed within the
first 3–6 hours, the chances of administering thrombolytic therapy and other effective
treatments increase significantly [2; 2018: p.27]. From this perspective, modern neuroimaging
techniques—computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—are widely
used as the most reliable and effective diagnostic methods for the early detection of ischemic
stroke. CT helps rapidly differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic types, while MRI
plays a crucial role in identifying small-scale changes in brain tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
547
In this article, the scientific and fundamental role of MRI and CT in the early diagnosis of
ischemic stroke, as well as their advantages and limitations, is analyzed based on literature
sources. The problem of early diagnosis of ischemic stroke has been one of the most intensively
studied areas in neurology over the past decades. Numerous studies conducted worldwide have
shown that accurate diagnosis within the first hours of stroke onset directly affects the patient’s
future quality of life and treatment outcomes [3; 2017: p.214]. For this reason, neuroimaging
methods are regarded as leading diagnostic tools in clinical practice.
Computed tomography (CT) is widely used as the first-choice method in stroke diagnosis. This
technique allows for a rapid distinction between hemorrhagic and ischemic types of stroke
within a short time frame. The main advantages of CT are its wide availability, speed, and high
accuracy. Research indicates that CT has up to 95% sensitivity in detecting hemorrhages during
the acute stage of stroke [4; 2019: p.63]. However, CT has limitations in the early detection of
small ischemic lesions.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significant advantages in detecting subtle changes in
brain tissue. In particular, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is noteworthy because it can
reveal pathological processes within the first 30 minutes of stroke onset [5; 2021: p.118]. MRI
allows precise visualization of small infarct foci, as well as lesions in the brainstem and
posterior brain regions. For this reason, many authors recognize MRI as the “gold standard” in
the early diagnosis of stroke [6; 2016: p.97].
In recent years, several scientific sources have emphasized that the combined use of CT and
MRI further improves diagnostic accuracy. CT provides the opportunity to rule out
hemorrhagic stroke, while MRI enables the detection of ischemic lesions. Such a combined
approach is considered highly effective, especially in the early stages of medical care [7; 2015:
p.145].
A review of the literature shows that both methods have their advantages and limitations,
complementing one another. The speed and availability of CT make it crucial in emergency
medicine, whereas the high sensitivity of MRI enhances diagnostic precision in the early stages
of stroke.
Aim:
To determine the role of neuroimaging methods—particularly computed tomography (CT)
and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—in the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke and to
analyze their advantages and limitations based on the literature.
Objectives:
1. To describe the epidemiology and clinical significance of ischemic stroke.
2. To review the development of neuroimaging methods and their diagnostic capabilities.
3. To compare the advantages and limitations of CT and MRI in the early diagnosis of
ischemic stroke.
4. To synthesize evidence from the literature on the effectiveness of CT and MRI in
clinical use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
548
5. To formulate scientific conclusions on the importance of neuroimaging methods for
early diagnosis of ischemic stroke.
Results
A review of the literature shows that the use of neuroimaging methods in the diagnosis
of ischemic stroke plays a crucial role in saving patients’ lives and reducing
complications. Computed tomography (CT) is applied as the first-choice method for
early stroke detection. The sensitivity of CT in identifying hemorrhagic stroke within a
short time reaches 90–95% [8; 2019: p.71]. However, the limitation of CT lies in its
reduced ability to visualize small ischemic lesions during the initial hours.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the other hand, stands out for its high sensitivity.
With diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), ischemic lesions can be detected as early as
the first 30 minutes after stroke onset [9; 2021: p.127]. MRI demonstrates particularly
high accuracy in identifying strokes located in the brainstem and posterior brain regions.
According to the analyzed sources, the combined use of CT and MRI further improves
diagnostic outcomes, providing a more comprehensive and reliable assessment.
Using CT makes it possible to rule out hemorrhagic forms, while MRI enables the detection of
small ischemic lesions. Such an approach increases efficiency in emergency medical care [10;
2017: p.152]. Overall, the use of neuroimaging methods improves the early diagnosis of
ischemic stroke, facilitates timely treatment, and contributes to enhancing patients’ quality of
life.
The importance of neuroimaging in the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke is invaluable. Both
CT and MRI have their own advantages and limitations, and they should be regarded as
complementary diagnostic tools. Computed tomography, due to its speed, wide availability, and
high accuracy in detecting hemorrhagic stroke, plays a vital role in emergency medicine.
However, CT is considerably limited in detecting small ischemic lesions during the initial stage
of stroke. For this reason, CT is most often used as the primary method in the initial diagnostic
phase [11; 2016: p.203].
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands out for its high sensitivity, particularly due to
diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), which enables the detection of pathological processes in the
very early hours of stroke. MRI allows the identification of small lesions as well as changes
occurring in the brainstem and posterior brain regions. However, the main limitations of MRI
are its relatively longer examination time compared to CT and the lack of technical availability
in some clinical settings [12; 2020: p.88].
Numerous studies emphasize that the combined use of CT and MRI significantly increases
diagnostic accuracy. While CT makes it possible to exclude hemorrhagic stroke, MRI enables
the detection of ischemic lesions—making this combined approach optimal for providing
emergency medical care [13; 2018: p.117].
Thus, the integrated use of neuroimaging methods not only improves diagnostic precision in the
early detection of stroke but also creates the basis for timely and effective therapeutic
interventions for patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
549
Conclusion:
Based on the review of the literature, it can be stated that neuroimaging
methods—computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—are among the
most essential diagnostic tools in the early detection of ischemic stroke.
1.
CT
is effective in rapidly differentiating between hemorrhagic and ischemic forms
during the acute stage of stroke and is widely applied as the first-choice method in
emergency care.
2.
MRI
, particularly diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), demonstrates high sensitivity in
detecting small lesions during the earliest hours of stroke.
3. The combined use of
CT and MRI
enhances diagnostic accuracy and enables timely
selection of appropriate treatment strategies for patients.
4. Thus, the application of neuroimaging methods is an integral part of modern medicine in
stroke diagnostics, playing a vital role in preserving patients’ quality of life and
reducing disability rates.
References:
1. Akhmedov, A. Neuroimaging Methods in Stroke Diagnosis. – Tashkent: “Fan”, 2018.
2. Aliev, B. The Importance of MRI in Ischemic Stroke. – Bukhara: “Zarafshon”, 2020.
3. Karimov, Sh. Fundamentals of Computed Tomography. – Tashkent: “Yangi Asr Avlodi”,
2017.
4. Matkarimov, I. Neuroimaging in Modern Neurology. – Samarkand: “SamDU Publishing
House”, 2019.
5. Rasulov, D. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neurology. – Tashkent: “Tibbiyot”, 2021.
6. Sattorov, M. Ischemic Stroke: Clinical Features and Diagnosis. – Andijan: “Andijan State
Medical Institute Press”, 2016.
7. To‘xtayev, H. Modern Achievements in Neuroimaging. – Tashkent: “Uzbekistan”, 2015.
