Role of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessment of Pediatric Cerebral Stroke

Stroke can be ischemic, hemorrhagic, or both. Early recognition and treatment of pediatric stroke are critical in optimizing long-term functional outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality, and preventing recurrent stroke. Neuroimaging plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Neuroimaging is usually the first step in diagnosis, helping discriminate between ischemic/hemorrhagic strokes and also in the identification of underlying potential causes. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a crucial role in assessing pediatric cerebral stroke including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).