High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cervicocranial Artery Dissection

Abstract

Background and Purpose— We aimed to systematically investigate the characteristics of cervicocranial artery dissection (CCAD) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging that are associated with acute ischemic stroke. Methods— Patients with CCAD were recruited and divided into stroke and nonstroke groups. The lesion location, the presence of a double lumen, intimal flap, intramural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and other quantitative parameters of each dissected segment were reviewed. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between imaging features of CCAD and ischemic stroke. Results— A total of 145 affected vessels from 118 patients with CCAD were analyzed. Anterior circulation, intramural hematoma, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and severe stenosis (>70%) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were more prevalent in CCAD patient with stroke (54.4% versus 36.4%; P =0.030, 96.2% versus 84.8%; P =0.017, 74.7% versus 37.9%; P <0.001, 44.3% versus 4.5%; P <0.001, and 54.4% versus 31.8%; P =0.008, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the presence of irregular surface and intraluminal thrombus on imaging were independently associated with acute ischemic stroke in CCAD with odds ratios of 4.29 (95% CI, 1.61–11.46, P =0.004) and 7.48 (95% CI, 1.64–34.07, P =0.009). Conclusions— The current findings supported that the presence of irregular surface and intraluminal thrombus were related to stroke occurrence in patients with CCAD. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging might give insights into pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in CCAD. It may be useful for individual prediction of ischemic stroke early in CCAD.