Diffusion- and Susceptibility Weighted Imaging Mismatch Correlates With Collateral Circulation and Prognosis After Middle Cerebral Artery M1-Segment Occlusion

• Main Authors: Zhihua Xu, Zhenhua Tong, Yang Duan, Dengxiang Xing, Hongyan Song, Yusong Pei, Benqiang Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-07-01
• Series: Frontiers in Neurology
• Subjects: diffusion weighted imaging; susceptibility weighted imaging; collaterals; prognosis; hypointensity vessel sign prominence
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.660529/full

Objective: To explore the relation between diffusion-weighted and susceptibility weighted imaging (DWI-SWI) mismatch and collateral circulation or prognosis in patients with occluded M1 segments of middle cerebral artery (MCA).Methods: We enrolled 59 patients with MCA M1-segment occlusion for a retrospective review of baseline clinical and imaging data. As markers of circulatory collaterals, prominent laterality of posterior (PLPCA) and anterior (PLACA) cerebral arteries on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) studies and a hyperintense vessel sign (HVS) on T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were collectively scored. The extent of acute cerebral infarction was then quantified on DWI, using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (DWI-ASPECTS). Hypointensity vessel sign prominence (PVS) was also evaluated by SWI and similarly scored (SWI-ASPECT) to calculate DWI-SWI mismatch [(DWI-ASPECTS) – (SWI-ASPECTS)], ranging from −10 to 10 points.Results: DWI-SWI mismatch showed significant associations with PLPCA, PLACA, HVS prominence, and collective collateral scores (all, p < 0.05). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), DWI-SWI mismatch, and DWI-ASPECTS also differed significantly according to patient prognosis (good vs. poor) after MCA M1-segment occlusion (p < 0.05). In binary logistic regression analyses, NIHSS and DWI-SWI mismatch emerged as independent prognostic factors (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Collateral circulation may be an important aspect of DWI-SWI mismatch, which in this study correlated with prognostic outcomes of MCA M1-segment occlusion.