Vessel wall inflammation in spontaneous cervical artery dissection: a prospective, observational positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging study

Stroke. 2011 Jun;42(6):1563-8. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.599548. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Vessel wall inflammation (VWI) may be a pathogenetic factor in cervical artery dissection (CAD). We used contrast-enhanced high-resolution MRI (hrMRI) and positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) to systematically investigate VWI in spontaneous CAD.

Methods: In this monocentric, prospective, observational study, all consecutive patients with acute, MRI-confirmed, spontaneous CAD admitted to our center between August 2007 and August 2009 were included. VWI was defined as perivascular contrast enhancement in hrMRI and increased perivascular [18F]-fluorodesoxyglucose uptake in PET-CT. VWI was further differentiated between local (restricted to the site of dissection) and generalized (exceeding the site of dissection).

Results: A total of 37 patients were included. Multiple dissections were seen in 10 patients (27%). Twenty-five patients received both modalities as planned, 8 received only PET-CT, and 4 received only hrMRI. A subset of patients showed signs of a generalized VWI in hrMRI (4/29 patients, 14%) and PET-CT (8/33 patients, 24%). In patients who received both modalities, all with hrMRI signs of generalized VWI were PET-CT positive (3/3), whereas some PET-CT-positive patients were hrMRI-negative (4/7). If present, generalized VWI in hrMRI completely resolved within 6 months. The presence of >2 simultaneous dissections (seen in 2 patients) was significantly associated with generalized VWI in hrMRI (P=0.015) but marginally not in PET-CT (P=0.053).

Conclusions: A subset of patients with spontaneous CAD showed signs of a generalized transient inflammatory arteriopathy in contrast-enhanced hrMRI and PET-CT. This subset of patients may be more prone to multiple dissections.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnostic imaging
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / pathology*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18