Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography Before Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Effect on Workflow and Functional Outcome

International audienceS ince the benefits of recanalization are highly time-dependent in acute ischemic stroke, 1-4 minimizing the workflow duration is crucial. Computed tomography (CT) is the most widely used diagnostic tool because of its availability and rapid acquisition time. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has advantages over CT. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) best detects acute ischemia, 5 stroke-like events 6-8 and is the reference for infarct core extent measurement, which is crucial in selecting patients for endovascular treatment in the later time window. 9,10 In patients with unknown onset time, MRI identifies strokes that occurred approximately within the previous 4.5 hours and could benefit from thrombolysis. 11 MRI drawbacks theoretically include screening time for contraindications, limited access, additional time needed to clear the MRI scan and place the patient on the table, and longer scan duration. The recent trials showing the efficacy of endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke used primarily CT-based Background and Purpose-The acute management of stroke patients requires a fast and efficient screening imaging modality. We compared workflow and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients screened by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) before treatment in the THRACE trial (Thrombectomie des Artères Cérébrales), with the emphasis on the duration of the imaging step. Methods-The THRACE randomized trial (June 2010 to February 2015) evaluated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy after intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) in ischemic stroke patients with proximal occlusion. The choice of screening imaging modality was left to each enrolling center. Differences between MRI and CT groups were assessed using univariable analysis and the impact of imaging modality on favorable 3-month functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2) was tested using multivariable logistic regression. Results-Four hundred one patients were included (25 centers), comprising 299 MRI-selected and 102 CT-selected patients. Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 in both groups. MRI scan duration (median [interquartile range]) was longer than CT (MRI: 13 minutes [10-16]; CT: 9 minutes [7-12]; P