Ischemic Stroke – CT Brain (Non-contrast) | Key Radiological Features 1. Hyperacute Phase (0–6 hours) Often subtle / may be normal Dense artery sign (e.g., Dense MCA sign) → acute thrombus Loss of gray–white differentiation Insular ribbon sign Lentiform nucleus obscuration Sulcal effacement (early edema) No hemorrhage (key to thrombolysis decision) 2. Acute Phase (6–24 hours) Hypodense area in vascular territory (wedge-shaped) Cytotoxic edema → ↓ attenuation Progressive loss of gray-white differentiation Mass effect Sulcal effacement Ventricular compression 3. Subacute Phase (1–7 days) Well-defined hypodensity Peak mass effect (3–5 days) Fogging effect (transient normalization ~1–2 weeks) Gyriform (cortical) enhancement (if contrast) ± Hemorrhagic transformation 4. Chronic Phase (>2–3 weeks) Encephalomalacia (CSF density area) Volume loss → ex vacuo ventricular dilatation Gliosis No mass effect High-Yield Signs (Rapid Recall) Dense MCA sign → thrombus Ins...