Magnetic resonance imaging in acute stroke

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Abstract
In the practice of medicine, the usual purpose of a diagnostic test is to improve the accuracy of the initial clinical diagnosis. The goal of improved diagnostic accuracy is not an end in itself, but a means to improve patient outcome by allowing selection of the most appropriate therapy. Thus, the value of a diagnostic test is determined not only by its accuracy but by demonstrating that the information it provides can be used for selecting the most effective patient management. Even in circumstances where no proven treatment exists, more accurate diagnosis can prevent the use of inappropriate treatment and provide prognostic information which is of value to patients and their families. A new diagnostic test is useful if it can replace a more invasive or expensive test or if it provides information that can be shown to improve …