Objective To investigate the remodeling pattern of symptomatic atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery(MCA) stenosis with 3.0T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HRMRI).
Methods Eighty-seven consecutive patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic stenoses at M1 segment of MCA on digital subtraction angiography(DSA)(50%-99%) were enrolled from November 2009 to May 2011. HRMRI was performed on the target segment by using a 3.0T MR scanner. Remodeling index(RI) was calculated as vessel area at maximal lumen narrowing(MLN)/reference vessel area. RI≤0.95 was defined as negative remodeling(NR), RI≥1.05 as positive remodeling(PR), and 0.95＞RI＜1.05 as intermediate remodeling(IR). Wall characteristics were compared between the NR and PR group.
Results Seventy patients were included in the final analysis, and NR was found in 29(41.4%) patients, IR in 6(8.6%) patients, and PR in 35(50.0%) patients. At MLN sites, compared with lesions with PR, lesions with NR had a less wall area([11.5±3.0]mm2 vs [16.6±4.5]mm2, P﹤0.001), and percent plaque burden([9.5±17.3]% vs [42.3±11.0]%, P﹤0.001).
Conclusion HRMRI can help assess the remodeling pattern of MCA stenosis. In patients with MCA atherosclerotic stenosis, NR lesions are also frequently observed and have a less wall area and plaque burden than PR lesions.
