High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cervicocranial Artery Dissection: Imaging Features Associated With Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE—We aimed to systematically investigate the characteristics of cervicocranial artery dissection (CCAD) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging that are associated with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS—Patients with CCAD were recruited and divided into stroke and nonstroke groups. The lesion location, the presence of a double lumen, intimal flap, intramural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and other quantitative parameters of each dissected segment were reviewed. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between imaging features of CCAD and ischemic stroke. RESULTS—A total of 145 affected vessels from 118 patients with CCAD were analyzed. Anterior circulation, intramural hematoma, irregular surface, intraluminal thrombus, and severe stenosis (>70%) on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were more prevalent in CCAD patient with stroke (54.4% versus 36.4%; P=0.030, 96.2% versus 84.8%; P=0.017, 74.7% versus 37.9%; P