Applications of fractal analysis techniques in magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography for stroke diagnosis and stroke-related brain damage: a narrative review

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the principles, characteristics, and main applications of the fractal analysis technique, focusing on its applications and perspectives in stroke diagnosis based on neuroimaging data. In stroke research, the fractal analysis technique has been used to characterize brain tissue, pathological foci, and the vascular network, providing critical diagnostic and prognostic information. Researchers have applied the fractal analysis technique to brain lesions resulting from ischemic strokes to conduct geometric analyses of lesion shapes, indicating its diagnostic and prognostic values. Overall, the fractal analysis technique in brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography is an informative and sensitive imaging analysis method that, with further development, can significantly improve stroke diagnosis and prognosis on the basis of neuroimaging data.