Tingting Zhu1,2, Lijie Ren3, Lei Zhang2,4, Yinghui Shao3, Liwen Wan2,4, Ye Li2,4, Dong Liang2,4, Hairong Zheng2,4, Xin Liu2,4, Na Zhang2,4. 1. Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. 2. Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. 3. Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China. 4. CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The characteristics of plaque that ultimately lead to different subcortical infarctions remain unclear. We explored the differences in plaque characteristics between patients with small subcortical infarction (SSI) and large subcortical infarction (LSI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-MRVWI). METHODS: The study group comprised 71 patients (mean age, 47.49±11.5 years; 55 male) with MCA territory ischemic stroke. Whole-brain HR-MRVWI was performed using a three-dimensional T1-weighted variable-flip-angle turbo spin echo (SPACE) sequence. Patients were divided into SSI and LSI groups based on routine MRI images. Plaque distribution was classified as the superior, inferior, ventral, or dorsal wall of the MCA. The number of quadrants with plaque formation, location of plaque, plaque burden (PB), arterial remodeling pattern (positive or negative), and degree of stenosis were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients, 43 (60.6%) and 28 (39.4%) were identified as the SSI and LSI groups, respectively. The proportion of plaques involving only one quadrant was significantly higher in the SSI group, and these plaques were located in the superior or dorsal MCA vessel wall. There was no significant difference between groups in the proportion of plaques involving two or more quadrants, plaque distribution, or PB. Most plaques in both groups showed positive remodeling, and the percentage of remodeling pattern was similar. A significantly higher incidence of low-grade stenosis (<50%) was observed in the SSI group. CONCLUSIONS: Both SSI and LSI may be associated with major intracranial artery atherosclerosis, but patients with SSI showed relatively fewer quadrants with plaque formation and a lesser degree of stenosis. 2021 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: The characteristics of plaque that ultimately lead to different subcortical infarctions remain unclear. We explored the differences in plaque characteristics between patients with small subcortical infarction (SSI) and large subcortical infarction (LSI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-MRVWI). METHODS: The study group comprised 71 patients (mean age, 47.49±11.5 years; 55 male) with MCA territory ischemic stroke. Whole-brain HR-MRVWI was performed using a three-dimensional T1-weighted variable-flip-angle turbo spin echo (SPACE) sequence. Patients were divided into SSI and LSI groups based on routine MRI images. Plaque distribution was classified as the superior, inferior, ventral, or dorsal wall of the MCA. The number of quadrants with plaque formation, location of plaque, plaque burden (PB), arterial remodeling pattern (positive or negative), and degree of stenosis were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients, 43 (60.6%) and 28 (39.4%) were identified as the SSI and LSI groups, respectively. The proportion of plaques involving only one quadrant was significantly higher in the SSI group, and these plaques were located in the superior or dorsal MCA vessel wall. There was no significant difference between groups in the proportion of plaques involving two or more quadrants, plaque distribution, or PB. Most plaques in both groups showed positive remodeling, and the percentage of remodeling pattern was similar. A significantly higher incidence of low-grade stenosis (<50%) was observed in the SSI group. CONCLUSIONS: Both SSI and LSI may be associated with major intracranial artery atherosclerosis, but patients with SSI showed relatively fewer quadrants with plaque formation and a lesser degree of stenosis. 2021 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.
Authors: D M Mandell; M Mossa-Basha; Y Qiao; C P Hess; F Hui; C Matouk; M H Johnson; M J A P Daemen; A Vossough; M Edjlali; D Saloner; S A Ansari; B A Wasserman; D J Mikulis Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2016-07-28 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Nikki Dieleman; Anja G van der Kolk; Susanne J van Veluw; Catharina J M Frijns; Anita A Harteveld; Peter R Luijten; Jeroen Hendrikse Journal: Neurology Date: 2014-09-03 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Anja G van der Kolk; Jaco J M Zwanenburg; Manon Brundel; Geert Jan Biessels; Fredy Visser; Peter R Luijten; Jeroen Hendrikse Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2015-01-11 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Isabelle F Klein; Julien Labreuche; Philippa C Lavallée; Mikael Mazighi; Charles Duyckaerts; Jean-Jacques Hauw; Pierre Amarenco Journal: Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2009-12-01 Impact factor: 2.762
Authors: Ye Qiao; Zeeshan Anwar; Jarunee Intrapiromkul; Li Liu; Steven R Zeiler; Richard Leigh; Yiyi Zhang; Eliseo Guallar; Bruce A Wasserman Journal: Stroke Date: 2016-01-07 Impact factor: 7.914