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Updated: Oct 1, 2026
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Magnetic resonance angiography in childhood arterial brain infarcts: a comparative study with contrast angiography
Béatrice Husson1, Georges Rodesch, Pierre Lasjaunias
1Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Université Paris XI, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. beatrice.husson@bct.ap-hop-paris.fr
Background And Purpose:
Contrast angiography (CA) is the reference examination for the diagnosis of cerebral arterial abnormality, but this procedure is invasive. In childhood, ischemic strokes are being increasingly investigated by means of MRI, including MR angiography (MRA). Very few data are available about the accuracy of MRA compared with CA in the specific context of acute pediatric stroke. We sought to compare the results of MRA with those of CA for the study of cerebral arteries in children with arterial infarction in an arterial distribution.
Methods:
Twenty-four children presenting with 26 infarcts were studied. All were examined with cerebral MRI and MRA and with CA. The interval between CA and MRA was <3 days for most of the patients.
Results:
Arterial lesions were detected in all but 2 children. They were located in the major cerebral arteries, predominantly in the anterior circulation (85% of cases). All lesions shown by CA were present on MRA (19 cases). Patients with no lesion on MRA had normal CA (2 cases). Associated distal vascular lesions and degree of arterial stenosis were more accurately detected with CA.
Conclusions:
MRA is sensitive enough to provide an adequate initial evaluation of arterial brain disease in childhood.
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is a sensitive tool for evaluating pediatric arterial brain disease, showing comparable results to invasive Contrast Angiography (CA) in detecting cerebral artery abnormalities in children with stroke.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Vascular Imaging
Background:
- Contrast angiography (CA) is the gold standard for diagnosing cerebral arterial abnormalities but is invasive.
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is increasingly used for pediatric ischemic strokes.
- Limited data exist on MRA accuracy versus CA in acute pediatric stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRA with CA.
- To evaluate cerebral arteries in children with arterial infarction.
- To assess MRA's utility in pediatric stroke cases.
Main Methods:
- Study included 24 children with 26 infarcts.
- All patients underwent cerebral MRI, MRA, and CA.
- MRA and CA were performed within 3 days for most patients.
Main Results:
- Arterial lesions were detected in 22 of 24 children.
- Lesions were primarily in the anterior circulation (85%).
- MRA detected all lesions identified by CA; CA provided more detail on distal lesions and stenosis degree.
Conclusions:
- MRA demonstrates high sensitivity for detecting cerebral arterial lesions in children.
- MRA is adequate for initial evaluation of pediatric arterial brain disease.
- MRA offers a less invasive alternative for assessing pediatric stroke.
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