Identification and Analysis of Ischemic Stroke from Brain CT Images

Abstract

The human brain is the most crucial organ for controlling different functions of the newlinebody. Constant blood flow is essential for the sustained functioning of the brain. The newlineinterruption of blood supply by a blocked or leaky blood vessel prevents oxygen and newlinenutrients from reaching the brain tissues. This results in a life-threatening brain disease newlinecalled Stroke . newlineA Stroke is an emergency medical situation that leads to the necrosis of brain cells. newlineStroke-related permanent disability and fatalities rank second in the world. Through newlineimmediate diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, 50-60% of Stroke survivors are newlinebenefited. A Stroke is classified as acute or transient based on the duration of newlineoccurrence. Also, Stroke is categorized as Ischemic or Hemorrhagic based on the newlineblockage or leaky blood vessels. Ischemic Stroke (IS) is more prevalent among the newlineexisting patient population, at around 87% globally. This is mostly due to the blood newlineclot in the blood vessel. Identification of the type of Stroke is a time-critical task for newlineneurologists. The primary treatment option for acute Ischemic Stroke is the application newlineof recombinant tissue Plasminogen Activator (rt-PA) Intravenous (IV) injection within newlinethe golden period of 4.5 hours. The identification of the type of Stroke is through newlinemedical imaging modalities as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance newlineImaging (MRI). Images obtained from these modalities provide neurologists a detailed newlinediagnostic and treatment plan that should be pursued further. Since minimal time is newlinerequired for the CT scanning procedure, the preferred modality is CT. newlineIf a person reaches the hospital with symptoms of IS, the initial CT image taken newlineis referred to as a Primary CT image (PCT). Usually, the Stroke lesion region exhibits newlineheterogeneity in the intensity distribution and it is complex. If IS lesions are not visible newlinein PCT but the patient is still noted with symptoms, again a CT image is acquired for the newlinesame patient for further diagnosis.