Brain and Blood Vessel Imaging for Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Covid-19—Data from the Literature and Clinical Cases

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The focus is on the role of neuroimaging in confirming the diagnosis of ischemic stroke and guiding patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges in di-agnosing and treating patients with neurological pathologies due to the time-sensitive nature of stroke management. The objective of this study was to analyze cases of patients with ischemic stroke and SARS-CoV-2 infection, emphasizing the importance of neuroimaging in confirming the diagnosis. The study aimed to provide insights into the characteristics and clinical manifestations of these patients, contributing to our understanding of the neurological impacts of COVID-19. A retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke and SARS-CoV-2 infection was conducted. The study focused on five representative cases, including patient demographics, medical histories, clinical symptoms, and imaging findings. Brain CT and MRI scans were performed to confirm the diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Among the 120 cases analyzed, 5 representative cases are presented. These cases include patients of varying age and gender with concurrent neurological pathologies and COVID-19 infections. Neuroimaging, such as CT and MRI, confirmed the diagnosis of ischemic stroke in these patients. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 in-fection and ischemic stroke often present with moderate to severe strokes, frequently involving large vessel obstructions. Neuroimaging plays a critical role in diagnosing and characterizing ischemic stroke in these patients. Identifying thrombotic angiopathy, vascular injury, and im-paired vascular autoregulation are essential for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This study emphasizes the significance of neuroimaging in managing patients with both COVID-19 and neurological pathologies, contributing to our understanding of the neurological implications of COVID-19.