Which imaging technique is commonly used for initial assessment of an acute stroke?

The use of a CT scan for the initial assessment of an acute stroke is rooted in its ability to quickly identify the presence of bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke. A CT scan is widely available in emergency settings and can be performed rapidly, making it the first-line imaging technique in acute stroke protocols. It helps in differentiating between ischemic strokes, which occur due to a blockage in blood flow, and hemorrhagic strokes that involve bleeding into or around the brain.

This capability is crucial because the treatment approach varies significantly between the two types of strokes; for instance, thrombolytics might be administered for ischemic stroke if treated early, whereas they would be contraindicated in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke. Furthermore, while MRI is excellent for detailed imaging and assessing the extent of an ischemic stroke, it takes longer to perform and is not always readily available in an emergency context. X-ray is not useful for stroke assessment as it cannot provide information about soft tissue or brain structure, and ultrasound is primarily used for assessing blood vessels and would not visualize the brain directly.