Hyperintense MCA branch sign on FLAIR-MRI.
We report three patients with cardioembolic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI within hours of symptom onset, demonstrated linear hyperintensities on the surface of the cortex corresponding to neurologic deficits. This unusual finding was indicative of MCA branch occlusion that was confirmed or suggested with angiography. Ultra-early evaluation with FLAIR- and diffusion-MRI may help establish the diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke particularly due to embolic MCA branch occlusion.
Koga
Masatoshi
M
Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. mkoga@ff.iij4u.or.jp
Kimura
Kazumi
K
Minematsu
Kazuo
K
Yamaguchi
Takenori
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology