Neuroradiologists and stroke
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* Allan J. Fox

Stephen Phillips and colleagues1 are to be congratulated for organizing and developing an acute stroke unit in Halifax and for describing the contributions that such units can make to the care of stroke patients. Halifax is well served by its unit, which is an example for Canada and the world.

However, the article omitted mention of one important group of medical specialists. Neuroradiologists have participated in stroke management in Canada for decades, and skilled neuroradiologists and the neuroimaging they perform are integral to the management of stroke, both acute and chronic. Up-to-date diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology procedures and well-trained neuroradiologists are needed for stroke care as we now know it, including the care of patients in acute stroke units.

Phillips and colleagues1 list the important contributions of 13 professional groups to their model stroke unit. This list mentions food and nutrition services, research assistants and spiritual care, but not neuroradiology. Perhaps neuroradiologists have come to be appreciated in the same way as an institution's walls and its plumbing — absolutely necessary, always available, excellent and reliable.

**Allan J. Fox** Department of Neuroradiology Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre Toronto, Ont.

## Reference

1.  1. Phillips SJ, Eskes GA, Gubitz GJ, on behalf of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Acute Stroke Team. Description and evaluation of an acute stroke unit. CMAJ 2002;167(6):655-60.
    
    [Abstract/FREE Full Text](http://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6NDoiY21haiI7czo1OiJyZXNpZCI7czo5OiIxNjcvNi82NTUiO3M6NDoiYXRvbSI7czoyMjoiL2NtYWovMTY4LzIvMTUwLjIuYXRvbSI7fXM6ODoiZnJhZ21lbnQiO3M6MDoiIjt9)