Net water uptake as a predictive neuroimaging marker for acute ischemic stroke outcomes: a meta-analysis

Objective To assess the role of net water uptake (NWU) in predicting outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, adhering to established guidelines. The search covered PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until July 1, 2023. Eligible studies reporting quantitative ischemic lesion NWU in admission CT scans of AIS patients, stratified based on outcomes, were included. Data analysis was performed using R software version 4.2.1. Results Incorporating 17 original studies with 2217 AIS patients, NWU was significantly higher in patients with poor outcomes compared to those with good outcomes (difference of medians: 5.06, 95% CI: 3.00–7.13, p