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 Multiphasic Computed Tomography Angiography Findings for Identifying Pseudo-Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Artery

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 2558-2562
Author(s):  
Jai Ho Choi ◽  
Jinhee Jang ◽  
Jaseong Koo ◽  
Kook-Jin Ahn ◽  
Yong Sam Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Anterior Circulation

Background and Purpose: Differentiation between pseudo-occlusion and true occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) is important in treatment planning for acute ischemic stroke patients. We compared the findings of multiphasic computed tomography angiography between cervical ICA pseudo-occlusion and true occlusion at the cervical ICA in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke to determine their diagnostic value. Methods: Thirty patients with nonvisualization of the proximal ICA were included. Diagnosis of pseudo- or true occlusion of the ICA was made based on digital subtraction angiography. Diagnostic performances of multiphasic computed tomography angiography findings—(1) a flame-shaped stump and (2) delayed contrast filling at the cervical ICA— were evaluated and compared. The Fisher exact test, χ 2 test, or Wilcoxon rank-sum test and McNemar test were used in the data analysis. Results: Twelve patients had true proximal ICA occlusion and 18 had pseudo-occlusion. Delayed contrast filling at the cervical ICA on multiphasic computed tomography angiography was found in all patients with pseudo-occlusion of the ICA, while 1 case of true occlusion showed delayed contrast filling ( P <0.001). The presence of a flame-shaped stump was not significantly different between the pseudo- and true occlusion groups. The sensitivity of delayed contrast filling (0.94 [95% CI, 0.73–1]) was significantly higher than that of flame-shaped stump (0.75 [95% CI, 0.36–0.83]). Conclusions: We demonstrated that the delayed filling sign on multiphasic computed tomography angiography could be a useful and readily available finding for differentiating proximal ICA pseudo-occlusion from true occlusion.

scholarly journals Clinical and Imaging Determinants of Collateral Status in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke in MR CLEAN Trial and Registry

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1493-1502
Author(s):  
Eveline J.A. Wiegers ◽  
Maxim J.H.L. Mulder ◽  
Ivo G.H. Jansen ◽  
Esmee Venema ◽  
Kars C.J. Compagne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Common Odds Ratio ◽  
Mr Clean

Background and Purpose— Collateral circulation status at baseline is associated with functional outcome after ischemic stroke and effect of endovascular treatment. We aimed to identify clinical and imaging determinants that are associated with collateral grade on baseline computed tomography angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Methods— Patients included in the MR CLEAN trial (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands; n=500) and MR CLEAN Registry (n=1488) were studied. Collateral status on baseline computed tomography angiography was scored from 0 (absent) to 3 (good). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to test the association of selected determinants with collateral status. Results— In total, 1988 patients were analyzed. Distribution of the collateral status was as follows: absent (7%, n=123), poor (32%, n=596), moderate (39%, n=735), and good (23%, n=422). Associations for a poor collateral status in a multivariable model existed for age (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.92 per 10 years [95% CI, 0.886–0.98]), male (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.53–0.76]), blood glucose level (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.95–1.00]), and occlusion of the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery with occlusion of the terminus (adjusted common odds ratio 0.50 [95% CI, 0.41–0.61]). In contrast to previous studies, we did not find an association between cardiovascular risk factors and collateral status. Conclusions— Older age, male sex, high glucose levels, and intracranial internal carotid artery with occlusion of the terminus occlusions are associated with poor computed tomography angiography collateral grades in patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for endovascular treatment.

scholarly journals Correlation between clot density and recanalization success or stroke etiology in acute ischemic stroke patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Jagani ◽  
David F Kallmes ◽  
Waleed Brinjikji
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Hounsfield Unit ◽  
Stent Retriever ◽  
Large Artery ◽  
Stroke Etiology ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Axial Slice

Background Predicting recanalization success for patients undergoing endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke is of significant interest. Studies have previously correlated the success of recanalization with the density of the clot. We evaluated clot density and its relationship to revascularization success and stroke etiology. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 118 patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Mean and maximum thrombus density was measured by drawing a circular region of interest on an axial slice of a non-contrast computed tomography scan. T-tests were used to compare clot density to recanalization success or to stroke etiology, namely large artery atherosclerosis and cardioembolism. Recanalization success was compared in four device groups: aspiration, stent retriever, aspiration and stent retriever, and all other. Results There was no significant difference in the mean clot density in patients with successful ( n = 80) versus unsuccessful recanalization ( n = 38, 50.1 ± 7.4 Hounsfield unit (HU) vs. 53 ± 12.7 HU; P = 0.17). Comparing the large artery thromboembolism ( n = 35) to the cardioembolic etiology group ( n = 56), there was no significant difference in mean clot density (51.5 ± 7.7 HU vs. 49.7 ± 8.5 HU; P = 0.31). A subgroup analysis of middle cerebral artery occlusions ( n = 65) showed similar, non-statistically significant differences between groups. There was no difference in the rate of recanalization success in patients with a mean clot density greater than 50 HU or less than 50 HU in each of the four device groups. Conclusions There was no relationship between clot density and revascularization success or stroke etiology in our study. More research is needed to determine if clot density can predict recanalization rates or indicate etiology.

scholarly journals Correlation of imaging and histopathology of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke with etiology and outcome: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed Brinjikji ◽  
Sharon Duffy ◽  
Anthony Burrows ◽  
Werner Hacke ◽  
David Liebeskind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Hounsfield Unit ◽  
Large Artery ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Stroke Etiology ◽  
Imaging Characteristics ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and purposeStudying the imaging and histopathologic characteristics of thrombi in ischemic stroke could provide insights into stroke etiology and ideal treatment strategies. We conducted a systematic review of imaging and histologic characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke.Materials and methodsWe identified all studies published between January 2005 and December 2015 that reported findings related to histologic and/or imaging characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. The five outcomes examined in this study were (1) association between histologic composition of thrombi and stroke etiology; (2) association between histologic composition of thrombi and angiographic outcomes; (3) association between thrombi imaging and histologic characteristics; (4) association between thrombi imaging characteristics and angiographic outcomes; and (5) association between imaging characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the proportion of red blood cell (RBC)-rich thrombi between cardioembolic and large artery atherosclerosis etiologies (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.1 to 28.0, p=0.63). Patients with a hyperdense artery sign had a higher odds of having RBC-rich thrombi than those without a hyperdense artery sign (OR 9.0, 95% CI 2.6 to 31.2, p<0.01). Patients with a good angiographic outcome had a mean thrombus Hounsfield unit (HU) of 55.1±3.1 compared with a mean HU of 48.4±1.9 for patients with a poor angiographic outcome (mean standard difference 6.5, 95% CI 2.7 to 10.2, p<0.001). There was no association between imaging characteristics and stroke etiology (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.32 to 4.00, p=0.85).ConclusionsThe hyperdense artery sign is associated with RBC-rich thrombi and improved recanalization rates. However, there was no association between the histopathological characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology and angiographic outcomes.

scholarly journals Garbled and Incoherent Text Messages Are a Sign of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A New Sign of Aphasia in the Era of Chat Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-161
Author(s):  
Chai Kobkitsuksakul ◽  
Bandit Sirilert ◽  
Apisit Boongird
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Middle Cerebral Artery ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Neurological Examination ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Text Messages

We report a 68-year-old female was diagnosed acute ischemic stroke with an interesting clinical presentation. She was unable to send the messages in chat application normally and accurately. Neurological examination revealed global aphasia without weakness. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed the occlusion of the inferior branch of the left M2 of middle cerebral artery (MCA) but showed a good collateral score. Intravenous fibrinolysis and mechanical thrombectomy were not indicated. The patient showed spontaneous clinical improvement and almost fully recovered by the day of hospital discharge. Currently, chat applications have been widely adopted for communication and have replaced direct or telephone conversations in daily life. Dystextia and dystypia may serve as modern sign of aphasia on text conversation.

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