scholarly journals Vertebrobasilar Junction Angle Over 90°: A Potential Imaging Marker Associated With Vertebrobasilar Atherosclerosis

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Li ◽  
Wen-Jie Yang ◽  
Lu Zheng ◽  
Heng Du ◽  
Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Plaque Burden ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Confidential Interval ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Artery ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Junction ◽  
Ischemic Attack

Objective: Whether the cerebral vascular variations play an important role in the progression of intracranial atherosclerosis is yet largely unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the magnitude of the vertebrobasilar junction (VBJ) angle and the imaging features of vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerosis.Methods: Adult patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack undergoing a 3.0-tesla vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) scanning were consecutively included. Imaging features of vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerosis were assessed on the reconstructed short axis of VW-MRI at the most stenotic site. The VBJ angle degree was measured on magnetic resonance angiography and classified into the angle ≥90° or <90°.Results: Among 68 patients (mean age = 63.5 ± 9.4 years old; 63.2% were male) with vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis, 33 had a VBJ angle ≥90° and 35 had a VBJ angle <90°. Compared to the vertebrobasilar plaques with VBJ angle <90°, those with VBJ angle ≥90° had a heavier plaque burden (84.35 vs. 70.58%, p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of intraplaque hemorrhage (17.1 vs. 3.3%, p = 0.01). In the regression analyses, the VBJ angle ≥90° was also robustly associated with plaque burden (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidential interval, 1.043–1.18; p = 0.001) and intraplaque hemorrhage (odds ratio, 5.776; 95% confidential interval, 1.095–30.46; p = 0.039) of vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis.Conclusion: The VBJ angle over 90° might aggravate the vessel wall condition of the atherosclerotic vertebrobasilar arteries, which might serve as a potential risk factor for vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis.

Abstract TP400: The Differences of Vessel Wall Features Between the Anterior and Posterior Brain Arteries Detected by High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangyan Chen ◽  
Lu Zheng ◽  
Jia LI ◽  
Wenjie Yang
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Posterior Circulation ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Anterior Circulation

Backgrounds: The purpose of this study was to investigate vessel wall features visualization by high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in a series of ischemic stroke patients and to identify differences between lesions in the anterior and posterior circulation. Methods: We consecutively recruited Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from 2016 to 2018. All patients were scanned at 3T magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated pre-and post-contrast cross-sectional views of M1 and M2 segments of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), basilar arteries (BA) and V4 segments of vertebral arteries (VAs). Results: A total of 74 patients (males 52.3%; median age 62 years old) were included in this study, among which, 234 lesions were identified on HRMRI, including 117 MCA lesions, 26 BA lesions, and 91 VA lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosing stenosis in anterior circulation were 89.3% (95% CI, 81.8%- 94.2%) and 50.0 (95% CI, 9.2%- 90.8%). The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosing stenosis in posterior circulation were 73.2% (95% CI, 63.9%- 80.9%) and 40.0 (95% CI, 7.3%- 83.0%). VA had a significantly higher contrast enhancement index (43.71± 7.74, p <0.016) than MCA (23.32± 2.46) or BA (22.69± 5.31) . Anterior circulation plaques had higher degree of stenosis (anterior versus posterior: 68.5% vs. 62.9%, p =0.036), more eccentric distribution (anterior versus posterior: 70.1% versus 53.8%, p =0.015) and higher rate of intraplaque hemorrhage (anterior versus posterior: 17.1% versus 7.7%, p =0.046). The plaques in posterior circulation had a thicker lesion wall (posterior versus anterior 16.58± 8.25 mm 2 vs. 9.10± 4.07 mm 2 , p <0.001) and higher enhancement index (posterior versus anterior 39.04± 8.50 vs. 23.32± 2.46, p <0.001) than the plaques in anterior circulation. Conclusions: The lesions in posterior circulations could be obscure on MRA. The area stenosis, intraplaque hemorrhage and enhancement index differed between circulations.

scholarly journals Association between basilar artery configuration and Vessel Wall features: a prospective high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqi Xu ◽  
Mingyao Li ◽  
Zhikai Hou ◽  
Jinhao Lyu ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Blood Vessel ◽  
Basilar Artery ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Blood Vessel Wall ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The relationship between intracranial vessel configuration and wall features remains poorly investigated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the distal and proximal anatomical configuration of basilar artery (BA) and BA vessel wall features on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI). Methods From September 2014 to January 2017, patients with suspected symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis underwent HRMRI. Patients with severe BA stenosis were selected for this prospective study and divided into two groups corresponding to complete and incomplete BA configuration based on characteristics of the bilateral vertebral arteries and posterior cerebral arteries. Culprit blood vessel wall features on HRMRI included plaque enhancement, intraplaque hemorrhage, remodeling patterns, and plaque distribution. Culprit vessel wall features were compared between patients in the complete and incomplete BA configuration groups. Results Among the 298 consecutively enrolled patients, 34 had severe BA stenosis. Twenty patients had complete anatomical BA configuration and another 14 of them displayed incomplete configuration. There were no significant differences in vessel wall features between the complete and incomplete configuration patient groups. However, the proximal configuration of BA was associated with intraplaque hemorrhage (p = 0.002) while the distal configuration of BA correlated with strong enhancement of BA plaque (p = 0.041). Conclusions No association was found between the complete and incomplete BA configuration groups and blood vessel wall features. The proximal configuration of BA was related with intraplaque hemorrhage and the distal configuration of BA was associated with strong plaque enhancement. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Trial registration URL: Unique identifier: NCT02705599 (March 10, 2016).

Association Between Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaque With High Signal Intensity on T1-Weighted Imaging and Subsequent Ipsilateral Ischemic Events

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka. Kurosaki ◽  
Kazumichi. Yoshida ◽  
Hideki. Endo ◽  
Masaki. Chin ◽  
Sen. Yamagata
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Severe Stenosis ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
Ischemic Events

Abstract BACKGROUND: An association between magnetic resonance imaging detection of intraplaque hemorrhage and the risk of cerebral ischemic events has been described. However, few studies have followed patients with intraplaque hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: We used 3-dimensional gradient-echo black-blood T1-weighted imaging (screening BB [S-BB]) as a magnetic resonance imaging sequence to evaluate acute cerebrovascular stroke. The association between S-BB high signal plaques and the risk of subsequent ipsilateral ischemic events was investigated. METHODS: A total of 928 consecutive patients hospitalized for a stroke or transient ischemic attack according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification were evaluated. Recurrence was retrospectively evaluated in S-BB–positive patients and patients with severe stenosis (SS) (≥70%) by magnetic resonance angiography. Based on clinical and imaging findings, recurrence was defined as a carotid artery stroke or transient ischemic attack that developed after hospital discharge as an initial event. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were S-BB positive and 62 patients had severe stenosis (S-BB positive with SS, 32 patients; S-BB negative with SS, 30 patients; S-BB positive without SS, 34 patients). During a mean follow-up period of 9.1 months, 7 S-BB–positive patients with SS (18.7%) and 1 S-BB-negative patient with SS (3%) had a recurrent event (P = .051). In the S-BB–positive group, in 34 patients without SS, the recurrence rate was 14.7% (5/34); the difference in the recurrence rate between S-BB–positive group with and without SS was not significant (P = .34). CONCLUSION: Patients with carotid artery lesions and intraplaque hemorrhage tend to be at higher risk of a subsequent ipsilateral ischemic event. Risk evaluation of carotid artery disease should include plaque characteristics.

scholarly journals Comparison of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Characteristics between Symptomatic Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke using High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Lu ◽  
Lichen Zhang ◽  
Fei Yuan ◽  
Peng Peng ◽  
Hongtao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Transient Ischemic Attack ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Plaque Burden ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Carotid Plaques ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
Ischemic Events

Abstract Background:This study aimed to compare the characteristics of carotid plaques between patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.Methods：Patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA who exhibited atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries in the symptomatic sides determined by MR vessel wall imaging were recruited. The plaque morphology and compositions including intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic-core (LRNC) and calcification were compared between TIA and stroke patients. Logistic regression was performed to relate the plaque characteristics to the types of ischemic events.Results:A total of 270 patients with TIA or ischemic stroke were recruited. Stroke patients had significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (42.2% vs. 28.2%, p=0.021), greater mean wall area (35.1 ± 10.1 mm2 vs. 32.0 ± 7.7 mm2, p = 0.004), mean wall thickness (1.3 ± 0.2 mm vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 mm, p=0.001), maximum normalized wall index (NWI)(63.9% ± 6.0% vs. 62.2% ± 5.9%, p=0.023) and %volume of LRNC (9.7%± 8.2% vs. 7.4% ±7.9%, p=0.025) in carotid arteries compared to those with TIA. After adjusted for clinical factors, above characteristics of carotid arteries were significantly associated with the type of ischemic events. After further adjusted for maximum NWI, this association remained statistically significant (OR, 1.41; CI, 1.01-1.96; p=0.041).Conclusions:Ischemic stroke patients had larger plaque burden and greater proportion of LRNC in carotid plaques compared to those with TIA. This study suggests that ischemic stroke patients had more vulnerable plaques compared to those with TIA.

scholarly journals Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage on vessel wall MRI does not correlate with TCD emboli monitoring in patients with recently symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-489
Author(s):  
Adam de Havenon ◽  
David Tirschwell ◽  
Jennifer J Majersik ◽  
Scott McNally ◽  
Gregory Stoddard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Symptomatic Carotid ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
Mean Time

Background Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) seen on vessel wall MRI is associated with an increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack, as are microembolic signals (MES) detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD). We sought to examine the association between IPH and MES in acute stroke patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. Methods Through a retrospective chart review, we included patients from 2011 to 2013 with acute ischemic stroke due to carotid atherosclerosis of varying stenosis who had both 3D volumetric MRI of the neck and TCD emboli monitoring. Results Twenty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean time from stroke to MRI was 1.4 ± 1.9 days and to TCD was 2.6 ± 2.4 days. MES was seen in 10 patients (42%) and IPH was present in seven patients (29%), but we did not find a relationship between MES and IPH ( p = 0.64). Conclusion In patients with recent acute ischemic stroke attributed to carotid atherosclerosis, we did not detect an association between the presence of IPH and MES. While this small study may be underpowered, an alternate explanation is that MES and IPH reflect vulnerable carotid atherosclerosis through different mechanisms. This untested concept warrants prospective study in a larger cohort.

scholarly journals Association Between Basilar Artery Configuration and Vessel Wall Features: A Prospective High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqi Xu ◽  
Mingyao Li ◽  
Zhikai Hou ◽  
Jinhao Lyu ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Blood Vessel ◽  
Basilar Artery ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Blood Vessel Wall ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The relationship between intracranial vessel configuration and wall features remains poorly investigated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the distal and proximal anatomical configuration of basilar artery (BA) and BA vessel wall features on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) . Methods From September 2014 to January 2017, patients with suspected symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis underwent HRMRI. Patients with severe BA stenosis were selected for this prospective study and divided into two groups corresponding to complete and incomplete BA configuration based on characteristics of the bilateral vertebral arteries and posterior cerebral arteries. Culprit blood vessel wall features on HRMRI included plaque enhancement, intraplaque hemorrhage, remodeling patterns, and plaque distribution. Culprit vessel wall features were compared between patients in the complete and incomplete BA configuration groups. Results Among the 298 consecutively enrolled patients, 34 had severe BA stenosis. 20 patients had complete anatomical BA configuration and another 14 of them displayed incomplete configuration. There were no significant differences in vessel wall features between the complete and incomplete configuration patient groups. However, the proximal configuration of BA was associated with intraplaque hemorrhage (p=0.002) while the distal configuration of BA correlated with strong enhancement of BA plaque (p=0.041). Conclusions No association was found between the complete and incomplete BA configuration groups and blood vessel wall features. The proximal configuration of BA was related with intraplaque hemorrhage and the distal configuration of BA was associated with strong plaque enhancement. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Trial Registration : URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02705599 (March 10, 2016).

scholarly journals Wall Enhancement in Evolving Cerebral Aneurysms on Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Omodaka ◽  
Hidenori Endo ◽  
Kuniyasu Niizuma ◽  
Miki Fujimura ◽  
Takashi Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Vessel Wall Imaging ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Wall Imaging

Abstract INTRODUCTION Recent magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging studies have indicated cerebral aneurysms in the active state could show wall enhancement along the aneurysm wall (CEAW). While ruptured aneurysms frequently show CEAW, CEAW in the unruptured aneurysms at evolving state, ie growing or symptomatic, has not been studied in detail. We assessed the degree of CEAW in evolving unruptured aneurysms by comparing separately with each of those in stable unruptured aneurysms and ruptured aneurysms. METHODS We performed quantitative analyses of CEAW in consecutive 26 evolving aneurysms using MR vessel wall imaging. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequence was obtained before and after contrast media injection, and the contrast ratio of aneurysm wall against the pituitary stalk (CRstalk) was calculated as the indicator of CEAW. We compared aneurysm characteristics of evolving aneurysms with those of 69 stable unruptured and 67 ruptured aneurysms. RESULTS The CRstalk in evolving aneurysms was significantly higher than those in stable aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.34; P < .0001), and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.83; P < .0002). In multivariable analysis, CRstalk remained significant in comparing evolving with stable aneurysms (odds ratio, 12.23; 95% confidence interval, 3.53-42.41), and with ruptured aneurysms (odds ratio, 0.083; 95% confidence interval, 0.022-0.310). CONCLUSION The CEAW in evolving aneurysms was higher than those in stable aneurysms, and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms.

scholarly journals Qualitative and Quantitative Wall Enhancement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Associated With Symptoms of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-222
Author(s):  
Qichang Fu ◽  
Yuting Wang ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Xinbin Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Oculomotor Nerve Palsy ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Background and Purpose: Aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE) on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) has been described as a new imaging biomarker of unstable unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Previous studies of symptomatic UIAs are limited due to small sample sizes and lack of AWE quantification. Our study aims to investigate whether qualitative and quantitative assessment of AWE can differentiate symptomatic and asymptomatic UIAs. Methods: Consecutive patients with UIAs were prospectively recruited for vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging at 3T from October 2014 to October 2019. UIAs were categorized as symptomatic if presenting with sentinel headache or oculomotor nerve palsy directly related to the aneurysm. Evaluation of wall enhancement included enhancement pattern (0=none, 1=focal, and 2=circumferential) and quantitative wall enhancement index (WEI). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the parameters associated with symptoms. Results: Two hundred sixty-seven patients with 341 UIAs (93 symptomatic and 248 asymptomatic) were included in this study. Symptomatic UIAs more frequently showed circumferential AWE than asymptomatic UIAs (66.7% versus 17.3%, P <0.001), as well as higher WEI (median [interquartile range], 1.3 [1.0–1.9] versus 0.3 [0.1–0.9], P <0.001). In multivariate analysis, both AWE pattern and WEI were independent factors associated with symptoms (odds ratio=2.03 across AWE patterns [95% CI, 1.21–3.39], P =0.01; odds ratio=3.32 for WEI [95% CI, 1.51–7.26], P =0.003). The combination of AWE pattern and WEI had an area under the curve of 0.91 to identify symptomatic UIAs, with a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 73.4%. Conclusions: In a large cohort of UIAs with vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging, both AWE pattern and WEI were independently associated with aneurysm-related symptoms. The qualitative and quantitative features of AWE can potentially be used to identify unstable intracranial aneurysms.

scholarly journals Whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging of plaque burden and lenticulostriate arteries in patients with different types of stroke

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175628641983329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Wu ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Kai Dong ◽  
Jiangang Duan ◽  
Xiaoxu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Atherosclerotic Disease ◽  
Plaque Burden ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Large-vessel atherosclerotic disease is an important pathogenesis of deep-perforator infarction (DPI). However, altered vessel walls of intracranial large arteries and distribution of small arteries in DPI are unclear because of the limited resolution of current imaging techniques. In this study the intracranial plaque burden and lenticulostriate artery (LSA) distribution in patients with recent DPI and non-DPI using whole-brain vessel-wall imaging (WB-VWI) were investigated. Methods: A total of 44 patients with recent DPI (23 patients) or non-DPI (21 patients) due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease were prospectively enrolled. WB-VWI was performed in all the patients using a three-dimensional T1-weighted vessel-wall magnetic resonance technique. Hemispheres with DPI and non-DPI were considered as the DPI group and non-DPI group, respectively. Hemispheres without a history of stroke were the control group. The intracranial plaque burden was compared between the DPI and non-DPI groups. The number and length of visualized LSA branches among DPI, non-DPI, and control groups were also evaluated. Results: A total of 77 hemispheres were analyzed (23 in the DPI group, 21 in the non-DPI group, and 33 in the control group). Plaque burden was lower ( p = 0.047) in the DPI group (82.0 ± 45.9 mm3) compared with the non-DPI group (130.9 ± 90.3 mm3). There was a significant reduction ( p = 0.002) in length of visualized LSA branches in the DPI group (74.1 ± 21.7 mm) compared with the control group (104.6 ± 33.3 mm). Conclusions: WB-VWI enables the combination of vessel-wall and LSA imaging in one image setting, which can provide information about plaque burden and LSA distribution.

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