What would you do when an early head CT is normal but disabling focal symptoms persist?

Instruction: Give the immediate interpretation and imaging action. Explain what the CT does and does not establish without deciding treatment eligibility from incomplete information.

Context: A 67-year-old developed aphasia and right-sided weakness 90 minutes ago and still has disabling deficits. The stroke clinician is at the bedside. An adequate noncontrast head CT shows no intracranial hemorrhage or large established infarct. Head and neck CTA is available immediately; MRI would take about two hours. The stroke team is evaluating treatment eligibility.

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I would contact the stroke clinician immediately and say: “There is no intracranial hemorrhage or large established infarct on this CT, but this does not exclude early ischemic stroke. The persistent deficits remain concerning...

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