Background
The hyperintense vessel sign (HVS) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images can
frequently be detected in patients with acute cerebral infarction attributable to
large artery stenosis or occlusion. The prognostic values and clinical characteristics
of HVS remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association
of HVS with ischemic lesions and severity of neurologic deficit.
Methods
A total of 96 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (54 women, median age 76.5
[range 39-97] years), who had symptomatic severe stenosis or occlusion in the proximal
middle cerebral artery that was detected with magnetic resonance angiography within
24 hours of onset, were enrolled. The extent of HVS was graded by a systematic quantitative
scoring system (the HVS distribution score) based on Alberta Stroke Program Early
Computed Tomographic Score.
Results
An HVS was detected in 89 patients (93%) at admission, and the patients who displayed
wider HVS distribution scores exhibited more severe neurologic deficits at admission
(P < .05). The follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, which was obtained in 79 patients
(82%), was performed an average of 13 days. The association between HVS distribution
score and final ischemic lesions was strongly observed (n = 67, P < .05) but not in the patients with intravenous thrombolysis (n = 12, P = .06).
Conclusions
Although the distribution of HVS reflected final ischemic lesion, this association
might not apply to the patients with the thrombolysis treatment. The interpretation
of HVS distribution score with acute ischemic stroke patients should be discussed
dependent on thrombolysis.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 13, 2014
Accepted:
November 11,
2013
Received in revised form:
November 11,
2013
Received:
October 9,
2013
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: All authors declared no conflict of interest.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.11.009
Copyright
© 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
