title: High resolution MRI guided endovascular intervention of basilar artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High resolution MR imaging (HRMRI) has been used to study intracranial atherosclerotic plaques. How HRMRI guided our decision making process in endovascular intervention of basilar artery (BA) atherosclerotic disease is reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  3 patients with symptomatic BA atherosclerotic disease underwent BA wall HRMRI under a 3 T MR scanner. Endovascular intervention was then performed utilizing HRMRI findings to guide therapy and to aid in planning the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRMRI clearly identified the eccentric atherosclerotic plaque at the opposite side of the adjacent right anterior inferior cerebellar artery in one patient and left posterior cerebral artery in one patient, and eccentric atherosclerotic plaque protruding BA lumen at the opposite side of the adjacent right anterior inferior cerebellar artery in the remaining patient. The BA stenosis was stented without compromise of the adjacent branch arteries in the three patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRMRI may be used to delineate the eccentric atherosclerotic plaque and the ostia of the major side branches of BA. The HRMRI findings seem helpful in guiding BA stenting with reduced complication risk.
authors: Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. cjr.jiangweijian@vip.163.com
authors: Wei-Jian
authors: WJ
authors: Jiang
authors: Wengui
authors: W
authors: Yu
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Ma
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Du
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Lou
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*