ABSTRACT
Objective To elucidate significance of hyperintense vessel signs(HVS)on FLAIR MRI in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods Two hundred and sixty-two patients with cerebral infarction admitted in our hospital were included in this study. We retrospectively defined HVS on FLAIR MRI in these patients in comparison with time of flight(TOF)on MR angiograms(MRA), hyperintense lesions on diffusion-weighted images(DWI). Results HVS on FLAIR MR[were identified in 117 patients with cerebral infarction(45.4%), of which 47 patients(83.9%)were obtained within 24 hours of symptom onset. HVS on FLAIR MRI were detected in 74 patients at sylvian fissure(62.2%), 11 at cortical sulci (9.2% ,11/119),34 at the posterior circulation regions(28.6% ,34/119). HVS on FLAIR MRI coincided well with ischemia of TOF on MRA and lesion patterns on DWI (χ2 test,P<0.01, respectively). Conclusion HVS on FLAIR MRI is helpful to evaluate abnormal major cerebral arteries of patients with cerebral infarction.