The shape of middle cerebral artery and plaque location: high-resolution MRI finding
Bum Joon Kim1, Youngshin Yoon1, Deok-Hee Lee2
1Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
The location of plaque may be associated with the vascular geometry.
Aim:
We aimed to examine the relationship between the geometry of middle cerebral artery and the plaque location detected by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.
Methods:
Among patients with a single subcortical infarction without a significant middle cerebral artery stenosis on magnetic resonance angiography, those with a plaque detected from high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were prospectively enrolled. The shape of middle cerebral artery was measured from the coronal view, and was classified as straight, U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, and S-shaped. The location of the plaque was divided into superior and inferior, and analyzed according to the shape of middle cerebral artery.
Results:
Among the 40 patients, the shape of middle cerebral artery was straight in 7 (17·5%), U-shaped in 10 (15·0%), inverted U-shaped in 11 (27·5%), and S-shaped in 12 patients (30·0%). The superior plaque was more closely associated with straight (85·7%) or U-shaped middle cerebral arteries (90·0%), whereas inverted U-shaped (81·8%) and S-shaped middle cerebral arteries (75·0%) were more often associated with inferior plaque. The prevalence of symptomatic plaque was higher in superior than inferior plaques (70·0% vs. 25·0%, P = 0·004). Multivariate analysis showed that straight and U-shaped middle cerebral artery was the only significant factor associated with the superior plaque.
Conclusion:
The shape of middle cerebral artery may be a factor determining the location of early atherosclerotic plaque.
Insights
The shape of the middle cerebral artery influences where atherosclerotic plaque forms. Straight or U-shaped arteries are linked to superior plaque, while inverted U-shaped or S-shaped arteries correlate with inferior plaque.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Plaque location in arteries may correlate with vascular geometry.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for predicting plaque development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between middle cerebral artery geometry and atherosclerotic plaque location.
- Utilizing high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging for plaque detection.
Main Methods:
- Patients with single subcortical infarction and no significant middle cerebral artery stenosis were enrolled.
- Middle cerebral artery shape (straight, U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, S-shaped) was measured.
- Plaque location (superior or inferior) was analyzed in relation to artery shape.
Main Results:
- Different middle cerebral artery shapes were observed in 40 patients.
- Straight and U-shaped arteries were associated with superior plaque (85.7% and 90.0%, respectively).
- Inverted U-shaped and S-shaped arteries were linked to inferior plaque (81.8% and 75.0%, respectively).
- Superior plaques were more symptomatic (70.0% vs. 25.0%).
- Multivariate analysis identified straight and U-shaped arteries as significant predictors of superior plaque.
Conclusions:
- Middle cerebral artery shape appears to be a determinant factor in the location of early atherosclerotic plaque.
- This finding may aid in risk stratification and understanding stroke mechanisms.
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