Cerebral microbleeds and dilative remodeling of the basilar artery: a magnetic resonance imaging study

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), one of the manifestations of small-vessel diseases (SVDs), and basilar artery (BA) dilatation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical information and MRI images were reviewed for 149 outpatients aged 46-90 years, excluding those who had a previous symptomatic cerebrovascular event. CMBs were evaluated on T2∗-weighted MRI, and BA diameters were measured as the maximal width of the flow void on axial T2-weighted MRI to assess dilatation. Patients were divided into 2 groups, with CMBs and without CMBs, and clinical information and BA diameters were compared between the groups. Regression analyses of the data also were performed. The 2 groups had significant differences in mean blood pressure (MBP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and uricemic acid levels, and BA diameter. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that MBP (odds ratio [OR], 1.059 per 1 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.019-1.101; P = .0035), LDL (OR, 0.976 per 1 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.960-0.994; P = .0072), and BA diameter (OR, 3.266 per 1 mm; 95% CI, 1.504-7.103; P = .0028) each had an independent association with the presence of CMB. Adjusted multiple regression analysis showed that only BA diameter (β coefficient, 0.240; 95% CI, 0.775-3.734; P = .0031) was independently associated with the number of CMBs. Our data indicate that CMB, a manifestation of SVD, shows a strong association with BA dilatation.