review · Annals of Medicine
Cerebrovascular disease causes substantial illness and death across Africa, where neuroimaging is essential for accurate clinical diagnosis and patient management. A review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 examined the utilisation and effectiveness of these technologies within African healthcare systems. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and skull radiography are the primary tools used, with computed tomography being the most widespread and affordable option compared to magnetic resonance imaging. However, widespread deployment faces severe operational barriers. Healthcare facilities regularly contend with the high initial cost of diagnostic machines, continuous maintenance expenses, inadequate basic infrastructure, and a shortage of specialised staff trained to operate the equipment and interpret results. Overcoming these systemic constraints is vital for expanding neuroimaging access and improving patient outcomes in cerebrovascular care across the continent.
Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of disability and death in Africa, requiring prompt and accurate diagnosis to guide treatment. Understanding the practical barriers to deploying imaging technologies like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging helps healthcare systems, policymakers, and funders target investments effectively to expand clinical diagnostic capacity and improve patient survival rates across the continent.
The review highlights an established clinical need for medical device manufacturers, maintenance providers, and digital health developers operating in African healthcare facilities. Opportunities exist for cost-effective imaging hardware, remote diagnostic support, and workforce training programmes adapted to local infrastructure. However, because this work is a secondary literature review offering policy recommendations rather than testing a specific device, the abstract does not indicate a direct proprietary technology pathway.
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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.
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DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2251490
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