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A pilot study of the association between leukoaraiosis and cerebral atherosclerosis using synthetic magnetic
Jingdong Yang1,2, Yan Song1, Juan Huang1
1Radiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
Background:
Leukoaraiosis is a type of lesion characterized by tissue rarefaction or myelin pallor resulting from axons loss and gliosis. Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could yield quantitative T1, T2, proton density (PD) values of leukoaraiosis in addition to information on the volume of the lesion.
Purpose:
To investigate the feasibility of quantifying leukoaraiosis using synthetic MRI and to explore the association between leukoaraiosis and cerebral small vascular diseases and cerebral atherosclerosis.
Material And Methods:
Patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent a conventional T2-weighted image, brain volume, CUBE fluid attenuated inversion recovery, and synthetic MRI acquisition using a 3.0-T MR system. A time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography was also obtained. We evaluated the T1, T2, PD values and leukoaraiosis volume.
Results:
Analysis of the leukoaraiosis volume ratios demonstrated a positive association with T2 values, a negative association with T1 values, and no association with PD values. Leukoaraiosis volume ratios were independently correlated with age (P < 0.001), lacunes (P = 0.022), and cerebral microbleeds (P = 0.010). A statistical association was found between both age (P < 0.001) and lacunes (P = 0.047) and leukoaraiosis T2 values.
Conclusion:
Synthetic MRI may enhance the evaluation of leukoaraiosis, in addition to providing information on its volume. Leukoaraiosis may represent a type of cerebral small vascular disease rather than cerebral atherosclerosis and may share the same pathological mechanism as lacunes and cerebral microbleeds.
Insights
Synthetic MRI effectively quantifies leukoaraiosis (LA) volume and T2 values. LA is linked to age, lacunes, and microbleeds, suggesting it is a small vessel disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Cerebrovascular Disease
Background:
- Leukoaraiosis (LA) involves tissue rarefaction and myelin pallor due to axon loss and gliosis.
- Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers quantitative T1, T2, and proton density (PD) values for LA lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of quantifying leukoaraiosis using synthetic MRI.
- To investigate the association between leukoaraiosis and cerebral small vascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Acute ischemic stroke patients underwent conventional MRI sequences and synthetic MRI (3.0-T).
- Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography was performed.
- Leukoaraiosis volume, T1, T2, and PD values were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Leukoaraiosis volume ratios positively correlated with T2 values and negatively with T1 values.
- Volume ratios were independently associated with age, lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds.
- Leukoaraiosis T2 values correlated with age and lacunes.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic MRI can enhance leukoaraiosis evaluation, providing volumetric and quantitative data.
- Leukoaraiosis may be a manifestation of cerebral small vascular disease, sharing pathology with lacunes and microbleeds.
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