High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of symptomatic middle cerebral artery dissection

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Mar;23(3):550-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.03.019. Epub 2013 Apr 28.

Abstract

Dissection of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is less frequent compared with dissection of vessels in the vertebrobasilar system or dissection of the carotid artery. High-resolution cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) has emerged as a potential technique for atherosclerotic plaque imaging in MCA. We enrolled 3 patients with MCA dissection on whom HRMRI was performed for evaluation of MCA stenosis. Two patients had an embolic infarction in the MCA territory and focal dissection. One patient had a massive infarction in the MCA territory and long-segment dissection of the MCA. On HRMRI, our objectives had an intimal flap with patency of the lumen and 1 had extensive hemorrhaging in the false lumen.

Keywords: Dissection; high resolution MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; middle cerebral artery; stroke.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Dissection / drug therapy
  • Aortic Dissection / pathology
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnosis*
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / drug therapy
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / drug therapy
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / drug effects
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors