title: Measurement of cerebrovascular reactivity in pediatric patients with cerebral vasculopathy using blood oxygen level-dependent MRI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is an indicator of cerebral hemodynamics. In adults with cerebrovascular disease, impaired CVR has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of stroke. In children, however, CVR studies are not common. This may be due to the difficulties and risks associated with current CVR study methodologies. We have previously described the application of precise control of end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure for CVR studies in adults. Our aim is to report initial observations of CVR studies that were performed as part of a larger observational study regarding investigations in pediatric patients with cerebral vascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients between the ages of 10 and 16 years (10 with a diagnosis of Moyamoya vasculopathy and 3 with confirmed, or suspected, intracranial vascular stenosis) underwent angiography, MRI, and functional blood oxygen level-dependent MRI mapping of CVR to hypercapnia. The results of the CVR study were then related to both the structural imaging and clinical status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen blood oxygen level-dependent MRI CVR studies were performed successfully in 13 consecutive patients. Twelve of the 13 patients with angiographic abnormalities also had CVR deficits in the corresponding downstream vascular territories. CVR deficits were also seen in 8 of 9 symptomatic patients and 2 of the asymptomatic patients. Notably, in patients with abnormalities on angiography, the reductions in CVR extended beyond the ischemic lesions identified with MR structural imaging into normal-appearing brain parenchyma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case series reporting blood oxygen level-dependent MRI CVR in children with cerebrovascular disease. CVR studies performed so far provide information regarding hemodynamic compromise, which complements traditional clinical assessment and structural imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, The Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, 3MC-431, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8. david.mikulis@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Jay S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mikulis
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mardimae
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassner
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poublanc
authors.forename: Adrian P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Crawley
authors.forename: Gabrielle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: deVeber
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Logan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009072:Moyamoya Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen