Prognostic value of hyperintense vessel signals on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences in acute cerebral ischemia.
BACKGROUND
Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences may reveal hyperintense vessel signals (HVS) at the acute stage of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that HVS are associated with a worse outcome.


METHODS
We included 30 consecutive patients admitted within 12 h after onset of hemispheric cerebral ischemia. The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale at month 1.


RESULTS
Proximal HVS were present in 9 patients and distal HVS in 16. All patients with proximal occlusions on time-of-flight sequences had distal HVS on FLAIR. Patients with poor outcome at month 1 (modified Rankin Scale 3-6) more frequently had had HVS on MRI (12/13 vs. 4/17; p< 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Distal HVS found on FLAIR sequences within 12 h of acute cerebral ischemia are associated with a worse 1-month outcome.
Girot
Marie
M
Department of Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France.
Gauvrit
Jean-Yves
JY
Cordonnier
Charlotte
C
Pruvo
Jean-Pierre
JP
Verdelho
Ana
A
Leys
Didier
D
Leclerc
Xavier
X
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors