Analysis of correlation between the number of lenticulostriate arteries and hypertension based on high-resolution MR angiography findings.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hypertension, one of the most important risk factors for strokes, is associated with altered arterial anatomy and function. In this study, we compared the visualization of the LSAs by 3T 3D-TOF-MRA and DSA and quantitatively examined the LSAs in patients with hypertension by using 3D-TOF-MRA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We first examined 126 patients with 3D-TOF-MRA and DSA and determined the number of LSAs. In addition, we examined 60 patients with hypertension and 60 nonhypertensive volunteers with 3D-TOF-MRA and determined the quantitative differences between the LSAs of these 2 groups.

RESULTS

The mean number of LSA stems visualized by DSA and 3D-TOF-MRA on 1 side was 4.1 ± 0.74 and 3.9 ± 0.94, respectively (P = .0617). The average number of LSA stems on both sides was 4.7 ± 0.8 in patients with hypertension and 6.3 ± 1.9 in nonhypertensive volunteers (P < .0001). The mean number of LSAs in the young hypertensive group (<50 years of age) and its age-matched nonhypertensive group was 4.8 ± 1.1 and 7.6 ± 1.2, respectively (P < .0001) and that in the old hypertensive group (≥50 years of age) and its age-matched nonhypertensive group was 4.6 ± 0.9 and 5.0 ± 1.0, respectively (P = .1088).

CONCLUSIONS

LSA detection showed good correlation between 3T 3D-TOF-MRA and DSA. As determined by 3D-TOF-MRA, there was a significant decrease in the number of LSA stems in patients with hypertension compared with that in nonhypertensive volunteers; moreover, the difference in young subjects was more than that in the elderly.