Predicting stroke risk in pediatric moyamoya disease with xenon-enhanced computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether estimates of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using xenon computed tomography (XeCT) in children with moyamoya disease can predict stroke risk before and after treatment.


METHODS
Seven patients with moyamoya disease underwent 22 serial Xe computed tomographic scans. Estimates of rCBF were obtained at three computed tomographic levels by use of a 5-minute inhalation of 28% Xe. Acetazolamide challenge was performed in eight scans. For comparison of abnormal vessel distribution and areas of infarction, 17 intra-arterial digital subtraction angiograms, 47 computed tomographic scans, and 15 magnetic resonance imaging scans were available. Follow-up exceeded 36 months in all patients. Mean follow-up for the interventional group was 65.2 months (n = 5; range, 37-109 mo) and 38 months for the nonoperative patients (n = 2; 36 and 40 mo).


RESULTS
Of six Xe computed tomographic scans obtained at diagnosis, four revealed regions of oligemia, augmented vertebrobasilar flow, and regions of carotid steal after acetazolamide. In the delay between diagnosis and treatment, three patients had strokes in ischemic areas identified by XeCT. Of the 10 posttreatment scans obtained from 4 patients, 2 revealed improved tissue perfusion with angiography confirming successful encephaloduroangiomyosynangiosis. In 2 others, XeCT performed 6 months posttreatment revealed improved perfusion without angiographic change, and angiography at 1 year revealed failed encephaloduroangiomyosynangiosis and new native collaterals. None of the patients with improved rCBF had new strokes. Eleven of 14 Xe computed tomographic scans were obtained within 30 days of angiography. Comparison of these studies demonstrates that regions of oligemia were confined to areas associated with vessel stenosis and little neovascularity or collateral pathways.


CONCLUSIONS
XeCT, particularly with acetazolamide challenge, objectively quantifies rCBF. Our preliminary data suggest that it may permit assessment of stroke risk in children with moyamoya disease and may predict surgical outcome earlier than angiography.
McAuley
David J
DJ
Department of Neurosurgery, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Poskitt
Ken
K
Steinbok
Paul
P
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009072:Moyamoya Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D014978:Xenon / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003287:Contrast Media; D014978:Xenon