Correlation of brain stem diffusion-weighted imaging score with vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in patients with acute brain stem infarction
10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2015.06.04
- Author:
Jing-Sheng YU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Acute brain stem infarction;
Diffusion-weighted imaging;
Magnetic resonance angiography;
Vertebro-Basilar artery
- From:
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army
2015;40(6):444-448
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the correlation of brain stem diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion score with vertebrobasilar artery stenosis as revealed by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in patients with acute brain stem infarction. Methods A total of 253 patients diagnosed as acute brain stem infarction by means of brain magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed retrospectively. Of them 211 patients were enrolled in the present study, and they were qualified with the enrolling standard, and they underwent examination of brain DWI and MRA simultaneously. The DWI lesion scores and imaging data were analyzed comparatively and statistically. Results Significant correlation was found between DWI lesion score and the main trunk stenosis degree of vertebrobasilar artery in patients with acute brain stem infarction (P=0.009). An increase in overall stenosis degree was found along with an increase in DWI lesion score (P=0.005). When the DWI lesion score was ≥4, occlusion of the main trunk of vertebrobasilar artery could be predicted with sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 93.2%, respectively (P=0.000). Conclusions The DWI lesion score increases as the degree of main trunk stenosis of vertebrobasilar artery increased in patients with acute brain stem infarction. The DWI lesion score, in certain extent, may predict the existence and degree of stenosis of the main trunk of vertebrobasilar artery.
