What are the two situations in which MRI can be useful to select treatments that have been demonstrated by RCTs to improve outcome?
The two situations in which MRI can be useful to select treatments that have been demonstrated by RCTs to improve outcome are (1) patients with carotid stenosis who are potential candidates for carotid revascularization in whom NCCT or neurological examination (eg, pure motor hemiparesis) does not permit accurate localization and (2) patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) who are potential candidates for mechanical closure (see below).