Hyperintense Vessel Sign on T2-FLAIR on Patients with Carotid Endarterectomy / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To evaluate the correlation between T2-FLAIR hyperintense vessel sign (HVS) and the stenotic degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) and assess the HVS changes after the carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Materials and Methods Fifty-one patients with CEA were retrospectively enrolled. The stenosis of the bilateral ICA were as≥90%, and<90%. The distribution of HVS locations was classified as three regionssylvian fissure, sulci of temporo-occipital lobe and other areas. The presence and the location of HVS were counted. The extrension of HVS on T2-FLAIR were graded asIthe presence of HVS was<1/3 of the MCA territory, IIthe presence of HVS was≥1/3 of the MCA territory.χ2-test was performed for correlation between HVS and ICA stenosis. The difference of HVS and stenosis of ICA and their effects on CEA was accessed. Results HVS was significantly higher in the ICA stenosis more than 90%group than in the less than 90% group (χ2=23.584, P<0.001). The frequencies of HVS were 12, 34 and 15 in sylvian fissure, sulci of temporo-occipital lobe and other area, respectively. The proportion of grade II HVS was higher in the ≥ 90% group than in the<90% group (χ2=8.395, P<0.05). After CEA, HVS on 29 affected hemispheres were showed to be disappeared (n=24) or remained (n=5) in the treated side. Conclusion The presence and the grade of HVS were correlated with the stenotic degree of ICA. In the patients with ICA stenosis, HVS was most frequently found in the sulci of temporal lobe and occipital lobe, and seldom found in sylvian fissure. HVS disappeared after CEA indicating that HVS can be considered as a marker for CEA treatment.