Stenosis length of middle cerebral artery and branch atheromatous disease associated infarct

ABSTRACT

Background: We analyzed the relationship between the characteristics of branch atheromatous disease associated infarct (BAI) and stenosis length (SL) of relevant middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 segment.

Methods: Ninety-five patients with BAI were recruited from 1024 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients. Among them, 59 patients (62.11%) had concurrent relative stenosis of MCA M1 segment. The neurologic deficit severity at admission was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the infarct size by infarct lesion thickness and maximum diameter. The SL and the distance from the carotid terminal segment to stenosis (DT) were measured on coronary projection on 3D TOF MRA. The correlations between SL and NIHSS, SL and infarct lesion maximum diameter were analyzed.

Results: There was no difference between BAI patients with or without M1 stenosis in image markers for infarct etiological subtype. SL was significant difference in patients with NIHSS >3 vs. ≤ 3 (p = 0.032) at admission. Further analysis showed that SL correlated with NIHSS at admission (r_s = 0.613, p = 0.000) and maximum diameter (r_s = 0.621, p = 0.000) significantly.

Conclusion: SL is a significant moderate predictor for infarct lesion diameter and neurologic deficit severity.

KEYWORDS:

• Branch artery disease
• middle cerebral artery stenosis
• stenosis length
• neurologic deficit severity
• early neurologic deterioration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jian Wang

Jian Wang has received bachelor's degree in clinical medicine from Dalian Medical University during 2001–2006. He received master degree in neurology from Dalian Medical University during 2010–2013. He is a PhD candidate in neurology from China Medical University since 2015. Since 2007, he has been working in Neurology Department, China Medical University, The People's Hospital.

Yujie Wang

Yujie Wang received bachelor degree from Dalian Medical University during 1982–1987. She has received master degree from Dalian Medical University during 1987–1990. She has received doctor degree from China Medical University during 1992–1995. From 1998 to 2006 she was the vice-president of the inpatients ward of neurology department, professor and chief physician. From 1987–1997, she is an associate professor and chief associate physician. Since 1987, she has been working in Neurology Department, China Medical University, The People's Hospital. Since 2007 she is the president of the second inpatients ward of neurology department, professor and chief physician.

Zijia Chai

Zijia Chai has received master degree from Medical School of Jilin University during 2006–2013. Since 2013, she has been working in Neurology Department, China Medical University, The People's Hospital.

Yue Xin

Yue Xin has received master degree from China Medical University during 2001–2004. Since 1997, she has been working in Neurology Department, China Medical University, The People's Hospital.

Jialiang Wang

Jialiang Wang has received master degree from China Medical University during 2011–2014. Since 2014, he has been working in Neurology Department, China Medical University, The People's Hospital.

Jianting Qiu

Jianting Qiu has received master degree from China Medical University during 2005–2012. Since 2012, he has been working in Neurology Department, The People's Hospital, China Medical University.