Infarction and circulation in cerebrum. Effect of recanalization and/or collateral circulation on the lesion and prognosis.

Findings of computed tomography (CT) and angiography in supratentorial cerebral infarction associated with complete stroke were compared with regard to prognosis. It was found that the extent of low-density areas on CT was perfectly in accordance with the areas of occluded arteries on angiograms. However, the low-density areas on CT were always smaller than the areas involved angiographically when early recanalization and/or collateral circulation were carried out within 2 to 3 days of onset. It was also found that smaller low-density areas only had favorable effect. We concluded that the prognosis was better with early recanalization and/or collateral circulation, despite the general acceptance of its poor prognostic implication.