title: High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging for Intracranial Arterial Stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the feasibility and clinical value of high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HRMR VWI) for intracranial arterial stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrieved information from PubMed database up to December 2015, using various search terms including vessel wall imaging (VWI), high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, intracranial arterial stenosis, black blood, and intracranial atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed peer-reviewed articles printed in English on imaging technique of VWI and characteristic findings of various intracranial vasculopathies on VWI. We organized this data to explain the value of VWI in clinical application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VWI with black blood technique could provide high-quality images with submillimeter voxel size, and display both the vessel wall and lumen of intracranial artery simultaneously. Various intracranial vasculopathies (atherosclerotic or nonatherosclerotic) had differentiating features including pattern of wall thickening, enhancement, and vessel remodeling on VWI. This technique could be used for determining causes of stenosis, identification of stroke mechanism, risk-stratifying patients, and directing therapeutic management in clinical practice. In addition, a new morphological classification based on VWI could be established for predicting the efficacy of endovascular therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review highlights the value of HRMR VWI for discrimination of different intracranial vasculopathies and directing therapeutic management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Xian-Jin
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Zun-Jing
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*