title: Hyperintense MCA branch sign on FLAIR-MRI.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. mkoga@ff.iij4u.or.jp
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Minematsu
authors.forename: Takenori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: 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