Abstract
Objectives: The thrombus length may be overestimated on early arterial computed tomography angiography (CTA) depending on the collateral status. We evaluated the value of a grading system based on the thrombus length discrepancy on dual-phase CT in outcome prediction. Methods: Forty-eight acute ischemic stroke patients with M1 occlusion were included. Dual-phase CT protocol encompassed non-contrast enhanced CT, CTA with a bolus tracking technique, and delayed contrast enhanced CT (CECT) performed 40s after contrast injection. The thrombus length discrepancy between CTA and CECT was graded by using a three-point scale: G0 = no difference; G1 = no difference in thrombus length, but in attenuation distal to thrombus; G2 = difference in thrombus length. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define independent predictors of poor clinical outcome at 3 months. Results: The thrombus discrepancy grade showed significant linear relationships with both the collateral status (P = 0.008) and the presence of antegrade flow on DSA (P = 0.010) with good interobserver agreement (κ = 0.868). In a multivariate model, the presence of thrombus length discrepancy (G2) was an independent predictor of poor clinical outcome [odds ratio = 11.474 (1.350–97.547); P =0.025]. Conclusions: The presence of thrombus length discrepancy on dual-phase CT may be a useful predictor of unfavourable clinical outcome in acute M1 occlusion patients. Key points: • Early arterial phase CTA may underestimate thrombus length. • Thrombus length discrepancy grade reflects collateral status or presence of antegrade flow. • Outcome prediction may be better with thrombus length grade than collateral score.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2215-2222 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | European Radiology |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jul 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015, European Society of Radiology.
Keywords
- Brain Infarction
- Middle cerebral artery
- Neuroimaging
- Stroke
- Tomography, X-Ray computed