The essential role of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa: a review

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, and using neuroimaging techniques has improved the diagnosis and management of this disease. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews of the role and effectiveness of neuroimaging techniques in the African context. METHODS: We reviewed the literature to evaluate the role of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa. Our search included electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 to April 2023. We included peer-reviewed studies written in English that reported on the use of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in African populations. We excluded non-peer-reviewed articles, letters, editorials, and studies unrelated to cerebrovascular disease, neuroimaging, or Africa. A total of 102 potential articles were identified; after applying our exclusion criteria and removing duplicated articles, 51 articles were reviewed. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that neuroimaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and Skull x-ray play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa. CT and MRI were the most commonly used techniques, with CT being more widely available and less expensive than MRI. However, challenges to using neuroimaging in Africa include the high cost of equipment and maintenance, lack of trained personnel, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges limit the widespread use of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa. CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging techniques are essential for diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa, but challenges to their use must be addressed to improve healthcare outcomes. Our policy recommendations can help improve the availability and accessibility of neuroimaging services in Africa.