title: Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging in acute ischemic stroke: effects of embolism and mechanical thrombectomy on the arterial wall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the effects of thromboembolism and mechanical thrombectomy on the vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) appearance of the intracranial arterial wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients with acute intracranial arterial occlusion who underwent high-resolution contrast-enhanced VW-MRI within days of stroke presentation. For each patient, we categorized arterial wall thickening and enhancement as definite, possible, or none using contralateral arteries as a reference standard. We performed χ(2) tests to compare the effects of medical therapy and mechanical thrombectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients satisfied inclusion criteria. Median time from symptom onset to VW-MRI was 3 days (interquartile range, 2 days). Among 6 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever, VW-MRI demonstrated definite arterial wall thickening in 5 (83%) and possible thickening in 1 (17%); there was definite wall enhancement in 4 (67%) and possible enhancement in 2 (33%). Among 10 patients treated with medical therapy alone, VW-MRI demonstrated definite arterial wall thickening in 3 (30%) and possible thickening in 2 (20%); there was definite wall enhancement in 2 (20%) and possible enhancement in 2 (20%). Arterial wall thickening and enhancement were more common in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy than with medical therapy alone (P=0.037 and P=0.016, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mechanical thrombectomy results in intracranial arterial wall thickening and enhancement, potentially mimicking the VW-MRI appearance of primary arteritis. This arterial wall abnormality is less common in patients with arterial occlusion who have been treated with medical therapy alone.
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Power
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Matouk
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: Leanne K
authors: LK
authors: Casaubon
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: Frank L
authors: FL
authors: Silver
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Krings
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.).
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Mikulis
authors: From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.P., T.K., D.J.M., D.M.M.); Department of Neurosurgery (C.M.) and Department of Diagnostic Radiology (C.M.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (L.K.C., F.L.S.). danny.mandell@uhn.ca.
authors: Daniel M
authors: DM
authors: Mandell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator
keywords: infarction; magnetic resonance angiography; magnetic resonance imaging; secondary prevention; stroke; thrombectomy; vasculitis