Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Establishment of Acute Pontine Infarction in Rats by Electrical Stimulation
Published on: August 27, 2020
Basilar plaque on high-resolution MRI predicts progressive motor deficits after pontine infarction
Sung-Hwan Lim1, Hojin Choi1, Hee-Tae Kim1
1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
The association between progressive motor deficits (PMD) in acute pontine infarction and basilar stenosis is unclear. High resolution MRI (HRMRI) is an emerging tool for basilar artery evaluation and might provide more accurate information. We aimed to analyze the association between basilar plaque assessed by HRMRI and PMD after acute pontine infarction.
Methods:
We identified consecutive patients with unilateral pontine infarction within 24 h of stroke onset. All the patients underwent diffusion weighted MRI, MR angiography and HRMRI within 24 h of admission. PMD was defined as an increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score by ≥1 during hospitalization. Factors potentially associated with PMD were validated by multivariate analyses.
Results:
Of a total of 87 patients, 63 (72%) had paramedian pontine infarction (PPI) and PMD was observed in 28 (32%) patients. Apparent basilar plaque assessed by HRMRI was more frequent in those with PMD than in those without PMD (52% versus 33%, p<0.001). In contrast, the frequency of basilar stenosis (>30%) assessed by MR angiography was similar regardless of PMD. In the patients with PPI, PMD was associated with hypertension and apparent plaque on HRMRI. After adjusting covariates, PMD was independently associated with apparent plaque on HRMRI (OR, 9.1; 95% CI 1.4-58.9).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that basilar plaque assessed by HRMRI is associated with PMD in patients with acute unilateral pontine infarction. Since basilar stenosis may be underestimated by MR angiography, HRMRI may provide additional information for predicting PMD and evaluating basilar artery stenosis.
Insights
Basilar plaque, identified using high-resolution MRI, is linked to progressive motor deficits in acute pontine infarction patients. This finding suggests HRMRI may better predict motor deficits than traditional angiography.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- The relationship between progressive motor deficits (PMD) in acute pontine infarction and basilar stenosis requires further clarification.
- High-resolution MRI (HRMRI) offers advanced basilar artery evaluation, potentially improving accuracy.
- This study investigates the link between basilar plaque, assessed via HRMRI, and PMD following acute pontine infarction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between basilar plaque detected by HRMRI and progressive motor deficits (PMD) in patients with acute pontine infarction.
Main Methods:
- Consecutive patients with unilateral pontine infarction within 24 hours of onset were included.
- All patients underwent diffusion-weighted MRI, MR angiography, and HRMRI.
- PMD was defined as an increase in NIH Stroke Scale score (≥1) during hospitalization; multivariate analyses validated associated factors.
Main Results:
- Of 87 patients, 28 (32%) experienced PMD. Apparent basilar plaque on HRMRI was more frequent in patients with PMD (52% vs. 33%, p<0.001).
- Basilar stenosis (>30%) by MR angiography did not differ between groups.
- PMD in patients with paramedian pontine infarction was associated with hypertension and apparent basilar plaque on HRMRI. Apparent plaque independently predicted PMD (OR, 9.1; 95% CI 1.4-58.9).
Conclusions:
- Basilar plaque, visualized by HRMRI, is associated with PMD in acute unilateral pontine infarction.
- HRMRI may offer superior insights into basilar artery stenosis and prediction of PMD compared to MR angiography, which may underestimate stenosis.
