scholarly journals Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcification Is Not Predictive of Future Cognitive Decline

Author(s):  
Farzaneh Rahmani ◽  
Marina Nguyen ◽  
Charles D. Chen ◽  
Nicole McKay ◽  
Aylin Dincer ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIntracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) calcification is a common incidental finding in non-contrast head CT. We evaluated the predictive value of ICA calcification for future risk of dementia and compared the results with conventional imaging biomarkers of dementia.MethodsIn a retrospective observational cohort, we included 230 participants with a PET-CT scan within 18 months of a baseline clinical assessment and longitudinal imaging assessments. Intracranial ICA calcification was quantified on baseline CT scans using the Agatson calcium score. The ability of baseline ICA calcification to discriminate between a control group (participants who maintained a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR™) score of zero over all follow-up visits) and a converter group (participants who had a baseline CDR of zero but received a persistent CDR>0 at any follow-up visit) was evaluated along with the predictive value of baseline ICA calcification for longitudinal clinical and imaging biomarkers. ResultsBaseline ICA calcium score could not distinguish participants who converted to CDR>0. ICA calcium score was also unable to predict longitudinal changes in cognitive scores, imaging biomarkers of small vessel disease such as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume, or AD such as hippocampal volume, AD cortical signature thickness, and amyloid burden. Severity of intracranial ICA calcification increased with age, male sex, and higher WMH volumes at baseline visit. Higher WMH volume and amyloid burden as well as lower hippocampal volume and AD cortical signature thickness at baseline predicted lower Mini-Mental State Exam scores at longitudinal follow-up. Baseline ICA calcification was indirectly associated with longitudinal cognitive decline, fully mediated through WMH volume.ConclusionsIn elderly and preclinical AD populations, atherosclerosis of large intracranial vessels as demonstrated through ICA calcification is not directly associated with a future risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, or progression of imaging biomarkers of AD or small vessel disease.

Author(s):  
Fabian Schaub ◽  
Alexandros A. Polymeris ◽  
Sabine Schaedelin ◽  
Lisa Hert ◽  
Louisa Meya ◽  
...  

Background Data on the relative contribution of clinical and neuroimaging risk factors to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) versus intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) occurring on oral anticoagulant treatment are scarce. Methods and Results Cross‐sectional study was done on consecutive oral anticoagulant–treated patients presenting with AIS, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ICH from the prospective observational NOACISP (Novel‐Oral‐Anticoagulants‐In‐Stroke‐Patients)‐Acute registry. We compared clinical and neuroimaging characteristics (small vessel disease markers and atherosclerosis) in ICH versus AIS/TIA (reference) using logistic regression. Among 734 patients presenting with stroke on oral anticoagulant treatment (404 [55%] direct oral anticoagulants, 330 [45%] vitamin K antagonists), 605 patients (82%) had AIS/TIA and 129 (18%) had ICH. Prior AIS/TIA, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, and worse renal function were associated with AIS/TIA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] [95% CI] 0.51 [0.32–0.82], 0.48 [0.26–0.86], 0.55 [0.34–0.89], and 0.82 [0.75–0.90] per 10 mL/min). Prior ICH, older age, higher admission blood pressure, and statin treatment were associated with ICH (aOR [95% CI] 6.33 [2.87–14.04], 1.37 [1.04–1.81] per 10 years, 1.19 [1.10–1.29] per 10 mm Hg, and 1.81 [1.09–3.03]). Cerebral microbleeds and moderate‐to‐severe white matter hyperintensities contributed more to ICH (aOR [95% CI] 2.77 [1.34–6.18], and 2.62 [1.28–5.63]). Aortic arch, common and internal carotid artery atherosclerosis, and internal carotid artery stenosis ≥50% contributed more to AIS/TIA (aOR [95% CI] 0.54 [0.31–0.90], 0.29 [0.05–0.97], 0.48 [0.30–0.76], and 0.32 [0.13–0.67]). Conclusions In patients presenting with stroke on oral anticoagulant, AIS/TIA was 5 times more common than ICH. A high atherosclerotic burden (indicated by cardiovascular comorbidities and extracranial atherosclerosis) and prior AIS/TIA contributed more to AIS/TIA, while small vessel disease markers and prior ICH were stronger determinants for ICH. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02353585.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Chang Chen ◽  
Xiao-Er Wei ◽  
Jing Lu ◽  
Rui-Hua Qiao ◽  
Xue-Feng Shen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Rick J. Tuijl ◽  
Ynte M. Ruigrok ◽  
Lennart J. Geurts ◽  
Irene C. Schaaf ◽  
Geert Jan Biessels ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel-Alexandre Bisson ◽  
Peter Dirks ◽  
Afsaneh Amirabadi ◽  
Manohar M. Shroff ◽  
Timo Krings ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThere are little data in the literature on the characteristics and natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in children. The authors analyzed their experience with unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the pediatric population at their tertiary care pediatric institution over the last 18 years. The first objective was to assess the imaging characteristics and natural history of these aneurysms in order to help guide management strategies in the future. A second objective was to evaluate the frequency of an underlying condition when an incidental intracranial aneurysm was detected in a child.METHODSThe authors conducted a Research Ethics Board–approved retrospective review of incidental intracranial aneurysms in patients younger than 18 years of age who had been treated at their institution in the period from 1998 to 2016. Clinical (age, sex, syndrome) and radiological (aneurysm location, type, size, thrombus, mass effect) data were recorded. Follow-up imaging was assessed for temporal changes.RESULTSSixty intracranial aneurysms occurred in 51 patients (36 males, 15 females) with a mean age of 10.5 ± 0.5 years (range 9 months–17 years). Forty-five patients (88.2%) had a single aneurysm, while 2 and 3 aneurysms were found in 3 patients each (5.8%). Syndromic association was found in 22 patients (43.1%), most frequently sickle cell disease (10/22 [45.5%]). Aneurysms were saccular in 43 cases (71.7%; mean size 5.0 ± 5.7 mm) and fusiform in the remaining 17 (28.3%; mean size 6.5 ± 2.7 mm). Thirty-one aneurysms (51.7%) arose from the internal carotid artery (right/left 1.4), most commonly in the cavernous segment (10/31 [32.3%]). Mean size change over the entire follow-up of 109 patient-years was a decrease of 0.6 ± 4.2 mm (range −30.0 to +4.0 mm, rate −0.12 ± 9.9 mm/yr). Interval growth (2.0 ± 1.0 mm) was seen in 8 aneurysms (13.3%; 4 saccular, 4 fusiform). An interval decrease in size (8.3 ± 10.7 mm) was seen in 6 aneurysms (10%). There was an inverse relationship between aneurysm size and growth rate (r = −0.82, p < 0.00001). One aneurysm was treated endovascularly with internal carotid artery sacrifice.CONCLUSIONSUnruptured pediatric intracranial aneurysms are most frequently single but can occur in multiples in a syndromic setting. None of the cases from the study period showed clinical or imaging signs of rupture. Growth over time, although unusual and slow, can occur in a proportion of these patients, who should be identified for short-term imaging surveillance.


Author(s):  
Madeline B. Karsten ◽  
R. Michael Scott

Fusiform dilatation of the internal carotid artery (FDCA) is a known postoperative imaging finding after craniopharyngioma resection. FDCA has also been reported following surgery for other lesions in the suprasellar region in pediatric patients and is thought to be due to trauma to the internal carotid artery (ICA) wall during tumor dissection. Here, the authors report 2 cases of pediatric patients with FDCA. Case 1 is a patient in whom FDCA was visualized on follow-up scans after total resection of a craniopharyngioma; this patient’s subsequent scans and neurological status remained stable throughout a 20-year follow-up period. In case 2, FDCA appeared after resection and fenestration of a giant arachnoid cyst in a 3-year-old child, with 6 years of stable subsequent follow-up, an imaging finding that to the authors’ knowledge has not previously been reported following surgery for arachnoid cyst fenestration. These cases demonstrate that surgery involving dissection adjacent to the carotid artery wall in pediatric patients may lead to the development of FDCA. On very long-term follow-up, this imaging finding rarely changes and virtually all patients remain asymptomatic. Neurointerventional treatment of FDCA in the absence of symptoms or significant late enlargement of the arterial ectasia does not appear to be indicated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 614-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy J Heit ◽  
Nicholas A Telischak ◽  
Huy M Do ◽  
Robert L Dodd ◽  
Gary K Steinberg ◽  
...  

Background Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to rupture of a blister aneurysm (BA) results in high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular treatment with the pipeline embolization device (PED) has been described as a new treatment strategy for these lesions. We present the first reported case of PED retraction and foreshortening after treatment of a ruptured internal carotid artery (ICA) BA. Case description A middle-aged patient presented with SAH secondary to ICA BA rupture. The patient was treated with telescoping PED placement across the BA. After 5 days from treatment, the patient developed a new SAH due to re-rupture of the BA. Digital subtraction angiography revealed an increase in caliber of the supraclinoid ICA with associated retraction and foreshortening of the PED that resulted in aneurysm uncovering and growth. Conclusions PED should be oversized during ruptured BA treatment to prevent device retraction and aneurysm regrowth. Frequent imaging follow up after BA treatment with PED is warranted to ensure aneurysm occlusion.


2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Sahlein ◽  
Mohammad Fouladvand ◽  
Tibor Becske ◽  
Isil Saatci ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
...  

OBJECT Neuroophthalmological morbidity is commonly associated with large and giant cavernous and supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. The authors sought to evaluate the neuroophthalmological outcomes after treatment of these aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED). METHODS The Pipeline for Uncoilable or Failed Aneurysms (PUFS) trial was an international, multicenter prospective trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the PED. All patients underwent complete neuroophthalmological examinations both before the PED procedure and at a 6-month follow-up. All examinations were performed for the purpose of this study and according to study criteria. RESULTS In total, 108 patients were treated in the PUFS trial, 98 of whom had complete neuroophthalmological follow-up. Of the patients with complete follow-up, 39 (40%) presented with a neuroophthalmological baseline deficit that was presumed to be attributable to the aneurysm, and patients with these baseline deficits had significantly larger aneurysms. In 25 of these patients (64%), the baseline deficit showed at least some improvement 6 months after PED treatment, whereas in 1 patient (2.6%), the deficits only worsened. In 5 patients (5%), new deficits had developed at the 6-month follow-up, while in another 6 patients (6%), deficits that were not originally assumed to be related to the aneurysm had improved by that time. A history of diabetes was associated with failure of the baseline deficits to improve after the treatment. The aneurysm maximum diameter was significantly larger in patients with a new deficit or a worse baseline deficit at 6 months postprocedure. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with the PED for large and giant ICA aneurysms had excellent neuroophthalmological outcomes 6 months after the procedure, with deficits improving in most of the patients, very few deficits worsening, and few new deficits developing.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document