Advantages and limitations of CT and MR imaging
| Imaging Characteristics | CT | MRI |
|---|---|---|
| Availability in the acute setting (0–6 hours) | ++ | − |
| Rapid image acquisition | ++ | + |
| Lack of vulnerability to motion artifacts | + | − |
| Accessibility for patients with monitors and/or ventilators | ++ | − |
| Feasibility and safety for patients with metallic implants (pacemakers, implantable defibrillators) | ++ | − |
| Lower cost | + | − |
| Lack of ionizing radiation | − | ++ |
| Renal toxicity associated with contrast administration | + | + |
| Time for postprocessing angiography and perfusion imaging | − | − |
| Sensitivity to lacunar and posterior fossa infarcts | − | ++ |
| Differentiation between acute and chronic ischemia | − | ++ |
| Ability to assess causes of ICH or SAH while in the scanner | + | + |
| Detection of chronic hemorrhage including microbleeds | − | + |
Note:—ICH indicates intracranial hemorrhage.