title: Are there any novel radiological diagnostic clues in magnetic resonance imaging for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the current study was to investigate whether signal intensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views and radiological findings on Doppler ultrasonography may have a diagnostic value for vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study was performed on demographic and radiologic data derived from 18 VBI patients and 58 healthy controls in the radiology department of a tertiary care center. The blood flow characteristics including peak systolic and end diastolic flow rates, resistance and pulsatility indices, mean velocities, flow rates, diameters and intensity pattern of vertebral arteries on cervical and cranial MRI sequences were noted. The association between blood flow characteristics and signal patterns on MRI views was investigated in VBI patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood flow and vessel diameter were significantly decreased in VBI patients compared to controls on both sides (P<0.001). In contrast, other parameters did not exhibit any remarkable difference between VBI and control groups. The distribution of hypo- or hyperintense signals in VBI and control groups was similar. No remarkable variabilities were detected in blood flow characteristics of cases presenting with signals having different intensities on MRI sequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, results of the current study have demonstrated that assessment of blood flow and vascular diameter may be important for ruling in VBI. Nevertheless, the intensity of signals derived from vessels seems not reveal any data of diagnostic significance in these cases. Further studies on larger populations may allow development and exploration of newer diagnostic techniques and clues for VBI.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cakmakci
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Safiye Tokgoz
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ozal
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra Karabay
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Ogutcu
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tunc
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umut
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kaygusuz
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey ; 2 Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey ; 4 Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey ; 5 Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey ; 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasibe Gokce
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Cinar
keywords: Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI); diagnosis; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); radiology