ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility of the highGresolution MRI (HRGMRI)in diagnosing the intracranial artery dissection (IAD)and to improve radiological diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.Methods The clinical data and imaging data of 43 patients with suspected IAD were analyzed retrospectively.HRGMRI and DSA examinations were performed.HRGMRI images were reviewed by two experienced radiologists independently,and DSA images were analyzed by a neurosurgeon.FollowGup durations were from 3 months up to 12 months,and then the clinical diagnoses of IAD were made.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),and negative predictive value (NPV)of HRGMRI were calculated,and the consistency of HRGMRI and DSA in the diagnosis of IAD was made.Results 32 over 43 patients were detected to be positive by HRGMRI,however,34 of 43 patients were diagnosed as IAD clinically.The sensitivity and specificity of HRGMRI for detecting IAD were 9 1.2% and 88.9%,respectively.The PPV was 96.9%,and the NPV was 72.7%.For DSA,30 patients with IAD were detected and 1 3 patients had negative results.Compared with the HRGMRI (3 2/43),the coincidence rate of two examinations was 86.0%.McNemer test (P＝0.687)indicated that there was no significant difference between two methods.Conclusion HRGMRI has excellent soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution.As a nonGinvasive modality with good tissue contrast and spatial resolution,it plays an important role in the diagnosis,differential diagnosis and followGup of IAD.