Acute Cerebral Infarction: CT Imaging, Diagnosis, and Evolution
Acute Cerebral Infarction: CT Imaging, Diagnosis, and Evolution Expert Radiologic Review with Case Discussion Acute cerebral infarction (ACI), more commonly known as an ischemic stroke, remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability globally. Early diagnosis through neuroimaging—especially CT—plays a vital role in patient prognosis and management. In this post, we explore the imaging characteristics, differential diagnosis, and evolution of cerebral infarction based on a clinical CT case of right hemispheric infarction , accompanied by comparative normal anatomy. What Causes Acute Cerebral Infarction? Etiology and Pathophysiology Acute cerebral infarction results from the sudden interruption of cerebral blood flow , leading to irreversible ischemia and infarction. The most common causes include: Large vessel atherosclerosis Cardioembolism (e.g., atrial fibrillation) Small vessel disease (lacunar infarcts) The cascade begins with cellular energy failur...