Predictive Role of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Determining Ischemic Stroke Etiology

Background: A stroke is defined as 'rapidly developed clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function, with no apparent cause other than of vascular origin.Aim: To discriminate etiologies and stroke risk factors.Methods: This prospective cohort observational study was conducted on 100 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients aged more than 18 years old, male and female. All patients were subjected to Complete history taking; a detailed medication history was taken, and detailed medical and neurological history; according to the neurological sheet, full general and neurological examination including NIH Score, evaluation of stroke risk factors, more diagnostic tests such as ECG, transthoracic echocardiogram, doppler ventrobasal carotid, Lipid profile and Hba1c, and DWI topography.Results: Cardioembolic (CE) was statistically associated with Corticosubcortical, Subcortical more than 20, Subcortical more than 20 topographic findings related to CE. Large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) was statistically associated with scattered lesions of less than 15 mm in one vascular territory (SLVT) and Scattered and confluent lesions of 15 mm or more topographic findings related to LAA cause. Lacunar was statistically associated with Subcortical less than 20 topographic findings related to lacunar cause. Blood disorder-thrombophilia was statistically associated with cortical topography related to blood disorder-thrombophilia cause. Hypoperfusion was statistically associated with SLVT and multiple unilateral anterior circulation topographic related to hypoperfusion cause.Conclusions: Understanding the etiology of AIS through DWI can aid in making timely and informed clinical decisions, including the selection of appropriate interventions and preventive measures to improve patient outcomes.