Imaging Diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack in Clinic and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Neuroimaging plays a pivotal role in Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Generally, clinicians focus on the specific changes in morphology and function, but the diagnosis of TIA often depends on imaging evidence. Whereas Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is concerned with the performance of clinical symptoms, they began to use imaging methods to diagnose TIA. CT and MRI are the recommended modality to diagnose TIA and image ischemic lesions. In addition, Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) are two acceptable alternatives for diagnosing TIA patients. This article elaborates the update of imaging modalities in clinic and the development of imaging modalities in TCM. Besides, multiple joint imaging technologies also will be evaluated whether enhanced diagnostic yields availably.

Figure 1

Given that idealized cerebral autoregulation. CBF, oxygen extraction fraction, and oxygen consumption as a function of perfusion pressure [10].

Figure 2

CT and MRI findings in a 49-year-old TIA patient. CT (a) diffusion-weighted (b) and T₂-weighted FLAIR MRI (c). (b and c) Show a small acute ischemic lesion (arrow) in the left posterior cerebral artery territory. However, CT is not clearly [20].

Figure 3

A 67-year-old male with recurrent TIAs. However, DSA (a) and TCD (b and c) demonstrated a severe focal stenosis of the proximal ICA. Despite initiating aspirin, patient TCD monitoring of the left MCA demonstrated spontaneous MES (d).

Figure 4

TIA imaging strategy. For the diagnosis of TIA, clinical diagnosis is still the mainstream diagnosis approach, while TCM diagnosis is a useful supplement. The application of various imaging techniques needs specific analysis because of its unique advantages.