CT Findings in Stroke: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Timely imaging with computed tomography (CT) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and clinical decision-making.

Objective: To describe the CT imaging characteristics of stroke and identify the distribution of ischemic and hemorrhagic lesions in a cohort of 260 patients.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 260 stroke patients who underwent non-contrast. CT findings were analysed for stroke type, location, laterality, and associated complications.

Results: Of the 260 cases, 198 (76.2%) were ischemic and 62 (23.8%) were hemorrhagic strokes. The most common location for ischemic strokes was the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory (62.6%). In hemorrhagic strokes, basal ganglia was the predominant site (48.4%).

Conclusion: Non-contrast CT plays a vital role in early identification of stroke subtypes. MCA infarcts and basal ganglia hemorrhages are the most common patterns, highlighting the utility of CT in guiding acute stroke management.