scholarly journals Spotty Calcium on Cervicocerebral Computed Tomography Angiography Associates With Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 859-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Li Yang ◽  
Lu Gan ◽  
Zhaoyang Fan ◽  
Bill Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Lateral Side ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bilateral Carotid ◽  
Spotty Calcification ◽  
Stroke Group

Background and Purpose— Cervicocerebral vascular calcification on computed tomography angiography is a known sign of advanced atherosclerosis. However, the clinical significance of calcification pattern remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential association between spotty calcium and acute ischemic stroke. Methods— This study included patients with first-time nonlacunar ischemic stroke (N=50) confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging or nonenhanced head computed tomography, as well as control subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (N=50) confirmed by carotid ultrasonography. Subjects in both groups underwent contrast-enhanced cervicocerebral computed tomography angiography within a week after the initial imaging examination. Spotty calcification was evaluated at 11 arterial segments commonly affected by atherosclerosis along the carotid and vertebrobasilar circulation. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the frequency and spatial pattern of spotty calcification between the 2 groups. Results— Spotty calcification in the Stroke group was markedly more prevalent than that in the Control group (total SC count: 8.74±4.96 versus 1.84±1.82, P <0.001). The odds ratio (95% CI) for stroke was 2.49 (1.55–4.00) for spotty calcification at bilateral carotid bifurcation, 1.52 (1.13–2.04) at carotid siphon, and 1.98 (1.45–2.69) at all evaluated locations. A total number of 3 spotty calcifications were determined as the optimal cutoff threshold for increased risk of stroke. Spotty calcium showed significantly greater area under the receiver operating characteristics curve than total calcium volume irrespective of size (0.88 versus 0.77). Within the Stroke group, ipsilateral lateral side showed significantly more spotty calcium than the contralateral side (5.18±3.05 versus 3.56±2.67, P <0.001). Conclusions— Nonlacunar ischemia stroke was associated with markedly increased incidence of spotty calcification with a distinct spatial pattern on cervicocerebral computed tomography compared with subclinical atherosclerosis, suggesting the potential role of spotty calcification for improving the risk stratification for ischemic stroke.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Ipsilateral Nonstenotic Carotid Plaques on Computed Tomography Angiography in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1743-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Ospel ◽  
Nishita Singh ◽  
Martha Marko ◽  
Mohammed Almekhlafi ◽  
Dar Dowlatshahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
Large Artery ◽  
Carotid Plaques ◽  
Stroke Etiology ◽  
Bilateral Carotid ◽  
Multicenter Prospective Study

Background and Purpose— Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) constitutes a large proportion of acute ischemic stroke. It is crucial to identify possible stroke etiologies in this patient subgroup to individually tailor secondary stroke prevention strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of carotid plaques causing <50% stenosis in ESUS patients on computed tomography angiography and the association of these plaques with ipsilateral strokes. Methods— Patients from INTERRSeCT—a multicenter prospective study of patients with acute ischemic stroke—were included in this study if their stroke etiology was not large artery atherosclerosis (>50% stenosis), and neck computed tomography angiography was obtained. Degree of stenosis (<30% versus 30%–50%), maximum plaque thickness, degree of plaque calcification (<50% versus ≥50%), plaque irregularity, ulceration, hypodensity, carotid web, and focal vessel outpouching were assessed for both carotid arteries on computed tomography angiography. Prevalence of carotid plaques with <50% stenosis (nonstenotic plaques), ipsilateral and contralateral to the stroke, in ESUS patients was determined and compared with non-ESUS patients. Features of these plaques with versus without ipsilateral stroke in ESUS patients were compared. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine associations between nonstenotic carotid plaque, plaque characteristics, and ipsilateral stroke in ESUS patients. Results— Four hundred forty-six patients were included in the study (median age, 73 years; 218 men), 138 of which were ESUS patients (median age, 70 years; 61 men). Nonstenotic carotid plaques (with <50% stenosis) were present in 54 of 138 (39.1%) ESUS patients. Twelve (8.7%) patients had bilateral carotid plaques. Forty (60.6%) of these plaques were ipsilateral and 26 (39.4%) contralateral to the side of the stroke ( P =0.004). Nonstenotic carotid plaques were significantly associated with ipsilateral strokes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.05–3.18]). Conclusions— In patients with ESUS, nonstenotic carotid plaques were significantly more common on the side of the ischemic stroke, suggesting that these plaques could be a potential stroke etiology in patients in whom the ischemic stroke is classified currently as ESUS.

scholarly journals Multidetector computed tomography angiography in clinically suspected hyperacute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation: an etiological workup in a cohort of Brazilian patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Torres Pacheco ◽  
Ingrid Aguiar Littig ◽  
Rubens Jose Gagliardi ◽  
Antônio Jose da Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Arterial Stenosis ◽  
Large Artery ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Stroke Group ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Stroke Mechanism

Objective The potential of computed tomography angiography (CTA) was assessed for early determination of stroke subtypes in a Brazilian cohort of patients with stroke. Method From July 2011 to July 2013, we selected patients with suspected hyperacute stroke (< 6 hours). Intracranial and cervical arteries were scrutinized on CTA and their imaging features were correlated with concurrent subtype of stroke. Results Stroke was documented in 50/106 selected patients (47.2%) based on both clinical grounds and imaging follow-up (stroke group), with statistically significant arterial stenosis and vulnerable plaques on CTA. Intracranial large artery disease was demonstrated in 34% of patients in the stroke group. Partial territorial infarct prevailed (86%) while artery-to-artery embolization was the most common stroke mechanism (52%). Conclusion Multidetector CTA was useful for the etiologic work-up of hyperacute ischemic stroke and facilitated the knowledge about the topographic pattern of brain infarct in accordance with its causative mechanism.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography Angiography: CINISter Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Shaun Rowe ◽  
Brandon Hawkins ◽  
Leslie A. Hamilton ◽  
Andrew Ferrell ◽  
Jennifer Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Contrast Induced Nephropathy

scholarly journals Utility of Apical Lung Assessment on Computed Tomography Angiography as a COVID-19 Screen in Acute Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 3765-3769
Author(s):  
Charles Esenwa ◽  
Ji-Ae Lee ◽  
Taha Nisar ◽  
Anna Shmukler ◽  
Inessa Goldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Patient Reported

Background and Purpose: Evaluation of the lung apices using computed tomography angiography of the head and neck during acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can provide the first objective opportunity to screen for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: We performed an analysis assessing the utility of apical lung exam on computed tomography angiography for COVID-19–specific lung findings in 57 patients presenting with AIS. We measured the diagnostic accuracy of apical lung assessment alone and in combination with patient-reported symptoms and incorporate both to propose a COVID-19 era AIS algorithm. Results: Apical lung assessment when used in isolation, yielded a sensitivity of 0.67, specificity of 0.93, positive predictive value of 0.19, negative predictive value of 0.99, and accuracy of 0.92 for the diagnosis of COVID-19, in patients presenting to the hospital for AIS. When combined with self-reported clinical symptoms of cough or shortness of breath, sensitivity of apical lung assessment improved to 0.83. Conclusions: Apical lung assessment on computed tomography angiography is an accurate screening tool for COVID-19 and can serve as part of a combined screening approach in AIS.

scholarly journals Signs of Pulmonary Infection on Admission Chest Computed Tomography Are Associated With Pneumonia or Death in Patients With Acute Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1690-1695
Author(s):  
Jeroen C. de Jonge ◽  
Richard A.P. Takx ◽  
Frans Kauw ◽  
Pim A. de Jong ◽  
Jan W. Dankbaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Pulmonary Infection ◽  
Stroke Onset ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Chest Computed Tomography ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk

Background and Purpose— In patients with acute stroke, the occurrence of pneumonia has been associated with poor functional outcomes and an increased risk of death. We assessed the presence and consequences of signs of pulmonary infection on chest computed tomography (CT) before the development of clinically overt pneumonia. Methods— In 200 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who had CT angiography from skull to diaphragm (including CT of the chest) within 24 hours of symptom onset, we assessed the presence of consolidation, ground-glass-opacity and the tree-in-bud sign as CT signs of pulmonary infection and assessed the association with the development of clinically overt pneumonia and death in the first 7 days and functional outcome after 90 days with logistic regression. Results— The median time from stroke onset to CT was 151 minutes (interquartile range, 84–372). Thirty patients (15%) had radiological signs of infection on admission, and 22 (11.0%) had a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia in the first 7 days. Patients with radiological signs of infection had a higher risk of developing clinically overt pneumonia (30% versus 7.6%; adjusted odds ratios, 4.2 [95% CI, 1.5–11.7]; P =0.006) and had a higher risk of death at 7 days (adjusted odds ratios, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.2–11.6]; P =0.02), but not at 90 days. Conclusions— About 1 in 7 patients with acute ischemic stroke had radiological signs of pulmonary infection within hours of stroke onset. These patients had a higher risk of clinically overt pneumonia or death. Early administration of antibiotics in these patients may lead to better outcomes.

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