Hyperintense Middle Cerebral Artery Sign Using MRI

• Published in: Clinical radiology 2003-07, Vol.58 (7), p.542-544
• Main Authors: Lam, W.W.M., Wong, K.S., So, N.M.C., Metreweli, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery - diagnosis; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; MRI; Neurology; Prognosis; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; stroke; thrombus; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-9260(03)00062-X

AIM: To assess whether the presence of the hyperintense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign, detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has any prognostic value in subacute infarction. The results were also compared with computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with suspected subacute ischaemic stroke (6–48 h after onset of symptoms) underwent MRI and CT assessment. The incidence of intraluminal thrombus demonstrated by conventional T1 and T2-weighted images was assessed. The results were correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). RESULTS: Hyperintense MCA was identifiable on T1-weighted images in 77.8% patients, on T2-weighted images in 61.1% patients, and in 38.9% patients using CT. Patients with intraluminal thrombus identified by MRI had more severe stroke (mean NIHSS of 12.2±8.0 versus 4±3.2 respectively, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of hyperintense MCA by MRI is associated with higher NIHSS and may therefore have a prognostic value.