Cerebral angiography and MR perfusion images in patients with ischemic cerebral vascular disease

To evaluate the value of perfusion MR imaging and angiographic evidence of collateral circulation in symptomatic patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases (ICVD).

Cerebral angiography and perfusion MR were performed in 16 patients with symptoms of ICVD. Qualitative perfusion maps were calculated for regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and mean transit time (MTT).

A total of 27 lesions were seen on the perfusion MR maps (6 infarcts and 21 ischemic lesions) and most of them (26/27) showed a prolonged MTT. MTT is sensitive to the presence of ischemic lesions, but not sufficient in distinguishing infarct from ischemia. All of the infarcts showed a decreased rCBV, while most of the ischemic lesions showed a normal or increased rCBV. When collateral circulation was identified on angiography, most ischemic lesions were not infarcts and had a normal or increased rCBV. The absence of angiographically identifiable cerebral collaterals may not always result in an infarct; 50% had decreased rCBV. Despite the absence of angiographic collaterals, the other half had normal or increased rCBV.

Cerebral angiographic evidence of collateral circulation is important in identifying a favorable outcome in patients with ICVD. However, a lesion with a normal or increased rCBV suggests a sufficient collateral circulation even without angiographic collaterals. Perfusion images may be a potentially useful adjunctive tool in the prediction of the outcome of ICVD, particularly where no apparent collateral macrocirculation is seen on CA.