To determine the risk factors in patients with asymptomatic intracranial stenosis evaluated by magnetic resonance angiography.

All admitted or out-patients≥ 19 years old with evidence of stenosis or occlusion of any intracranial
vessels proven by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were enrolled in the study. The degree of stenosis was graded as mild, moderate, severe and occluded. For the risk factor evaluation, charts were reviewed.

Among the 486 patients who underwent magnetic resonance angiography, only 41 patients (8.4%) had asymptomatic intracranial stenoses. Twenty three patients were included in the study. The mean age was 72.6 years old, predominantly female. Majority of the study population were hypertensive (78.3%). Family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were predominant. Forty eight percent (11/23) had multiple vessel stenoses. Increasing age and increased body mass index were seen in multiple vessel disease which was statistically significant with p value of 0.043. The longer the duration of hypertension and diabetes, the more intracranial vessels were involved. Elevated fasting blood sugar, family history of hypertension and diabetes were seen in single vessel disease. LDL cholesterol was slightly elevated in all three groups. History of myocardial infarction was seen in multiple vessel disease.

Advancing age and increased body mass index maybe risk factors for multiple intracranial vessel disease. Other risk factors which seemed to contribute to asymptomatic intracranial stenosis were female gender, hypertension, family history of hypertension, diabetes and LDL cholesterol. Intracranial stenosis involved the intracranial internal carotid and posterior cerebral arteries.