Diffusion-weighted imaging as predictor of acute ischemic stroke etiology

Abstract

Background: Topographic patterns may correlate with causes of ischemic stroke. Objective: To investigate the association between diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. Methods: We included 1019 ischemic stroke patients. DWI were classified as: i) negative; ii) DWI single lesion (cortico-subcortical, cortical, subcortical ≥20 mm, or subcortical <20 mm); iii) scattered lesions in one territory (small scattered lesions or confluent with additional lesions); and iv) multiple lesions (multiple unilateral anterior circulation [MAC], multiple posterior circulation [MPC], multiple bilateral anterior circulation [MBAC], and multiple anterior and posterior circulations [MAP]). Results: There was a relationship between DWI patterns and TOAST classification (p<0.001). Large artery atherosclerosis was associated with small, scattered lesions in one vascular territory (Odds Ratio [OR] 4.22, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.61–6.8), MPC (OR 3.52; 95%CI 1.54–8.03), and subcortical lesions <20 mm (OR 3.47; 95%CI 1.76–6.85). Cardioembolic strokes correlated with MAP (OR 4.3; 95%CI 1.64–11.2), cortico-subcortical lesions (OR 3.24; 95%CI 1.9–5.5) and negative DWI (OR 2.46; 95%CI 1.1–5.49). Cryptogenic strokes correlated with negative DWI (OR 4.1; 95%CI 1,84–8.69), cortical strokes (OR 3.3; 95%CI 1.25–8.8), MAP (OR 3.33; 95%CI 1.25–8.81) and subcortical lesion ≥20 mm (OR 2.44; 95%CI 1,04–5.73). Lacunar strokes correlated with subcortical lesions diameter <20 mm (OR 42.9; 95%CI 22.7–81.1) and negative DWI (OR 8.87; 95%CI 4.03–19.5). Finally, MBAC (OR 9.25; 95%CI 1.12–76.2), MAP (OR 5.54; 95%CI 1.94–15.1), and MPC (OR 3.61; 95%CI 1.5–8.7) correlated with stroke of other etiologies. Conclusions: A relationship exists between DWI and stroke subtype.

RESUMEN

Antecedentes: Los patrones topográficos pueden correlacionarse con las causas del accidente cerebrovascular isquémico. Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre imágenes ponderadas por difusión por resonancia nuclear magnética (dRNM) y el ensayo de Org 10172 en la clasificación de tratamiento agudo de accidentes cerebrovasculares (TOAST). Métodos: Fueron incluidos 1.019 pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular isquémico. Las dRNM fueron clasificadas como: i) negativa; ii) dRNM lesión única (cortico-subcortical, cortical, subcortical ≥20 mm, o subcortical <20 mm); iii) lesiones disgregadas un territorio vascular (pequeñas lesiones dispersas o confluentes con lesiones adicionales); y iv) lesiones múltiples (unilaterales de circulación anterior [MAC], de circulación posterior [MPC], bilaterales de circulación anterior [MBAC] y de circulación anterior y posterior [MAP]). Resultados: Existió relación entre los patrones de dRNM y la clasificación TOAST (p<0,001). La aterosclerosis de las arterias grandes se asoció con lesiones pequeñas y disgregadas en un territorio vascular (Odds Ratio [OR] 4,22, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%] 2,61–6,8), MPC (OR 3,52; IC95% 1,54–8,03), y lesiones subcorticales <20 mm (OR 3,47; IC95% 1,76–6,85). Cardioembolias se relacionaron con MAP (OR 4,3; IC95% 1,64–11,2), lesiones cortico-subcorticales (OR 3,24; IC95% 1,9–5,5) y dRNM negativas (OR 2,46; IC95% 1,1–5,49). Los accidentes cerebrovasculares criptogénicos se relacionaron con dRNM negativas (OR 4,1; IC95% 1,84–8,69), accidentes cerebrovasculares corticales (OR 3,3; IC95% 1,25–8,8), MAP (OR 3,33; IC95% 1,25–8,81) y lesiones subcorticales ≥20 mm (OR 2,44; IC95% 1,04–5,73). Los accidentes cerebrovasculares lacunares se correlacionaron con lesiones subcorticales de diámetro <20 mm (OR 42,9; IC95% 22,7–81,1) y dRNM negativas (OR 8,87; IC95% 4,03–19,5). Finalmente, MBAC (OR 9,25; IC95% 1,12–76,2), MAP (OR 5,54; IC95% 1,94–15,1) y MPC (OR 3,61; IC95% 1,5–8,7) se relacionaron con accidentes cerebrovasculares de otras etiologías. Conclusiones: Existe relación entre dRNM y subtipo de accidente cerebrovascular.

Keywords:

Stroke - Ischemic Stroke - Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Diagnosis

Palabras clave:

Accidente Cerebrovascular - Accidente Cerebrovascular Isquémico - Imagen de Difusión por Resonancia Magnética - Diagnóstico

Authors’ contributions:

AB, PL, VO, PM, E Mansilla: conception and design; AB, EMazzon, AR, VN, EMansilla: acquisition of data; AB, GC: analysis and interpretation of data; AB, PL, VO, PM: drafting the article; EMansilla, AR, GC, AR, EMazzon, VN: approval of the version.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 06. März 2021

Angenommen: 10. Mai 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
31. Januar 2023

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