The susceptibility vessel sign containing two compositions on 3-tesla T2*-weighted image and single corticosubcortical infarct on diffusion-weighted image are associated with cardioembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND

Although accurate diagnosis of the ischemic stroke subtype is one of the most important factors for selection of therapeutic approach, it is sometimes difficult at the time of admission. We previously reported that susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) with two layers (termed two-layered SVS) on 3-tesla-T2*-weighted image (T2*-WI) might be useful to predict cardioembolic stroke in patients with cerebral major vessel occlusion. We studied about biomarkers on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including two-layered SVS for diagnosing cardioembolic stroke.

METHODS

We included 132 ischemic stroke patients within 24h from onset who suffered internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery occlusion due to cardioembolic stroke (group CE) or large artery atherosclerosis (group LAA). We studied about biomarkers on MRI such as two-layered SVS and abnormal finding patterns of diffusion-weighted image (DWI) for diagnosis of cardioembolic stroke in addition to laboratory data, physiological examination, and clinical findings.

RESULTS

In this study, 132 patients (72 men and 60 women, age 74.5 ± 12.1 years) were included. Of these, 63 (47.7%) were cardioembolic stroke. In univariate analysis, frequency of comorbid atrial fibrillation, presence of two-layered SVS on T2*-WI and that of single corticosubcortical infarct on DWI, intima-media thickness were significantly higher in group CE. In multivariate analysis, the presence of two-layered SVS and single corticosubcortical infarct were associated with cardioembolic stroke (odds ratio, two-layered SVS, 30.08, p<0.001; single corticosubcortical infarct, 15.78, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Biomarkers associated with cardioembolic stroke may be two-layered SVS on T2*-WI and single corticosubcortical infarct on DWI.