Introduction: High resolution vessel wall MRI (VWMRI) has been increasingly used in stroke patients to evaluate the arterial pathologies and underlying cause of stroke. We aimed to explore VWMRI features of intracranial vasculopathies in ischemic stroke patients and assess their associations with stroke mechanism and with clinical outcome. Methods: Ischemic stroke or TIA patients with intracranial vasculopathy as the potential cause of stroke were included if they underwent VWMRI (3D T1-weighted, pre- & post- contrast, resolution isotropic 0.625 mm). The VWMRI features including the number of arterial lesions with thickened wall, presence of T1 hyperintensity, degree of enhancement [absent (0), mild (1), significant (2 =similar to infundibulum)], pattern of enhancement [eccentric, concentric, and mixed (both)] were evaluated by board certified neuroradiologists. Primary outcome was defined as recurrent stroke or other cardiovascular events. The association between clinical characteristic VWMRI features & clinical outcome were examined. Results: A total of 46 patients [29 (63%) males; mean age (SD) 55.7 (15) years] were included. Among 41 patients (89%) had at least one lesion with thickened wall, 21 patients (51.2%) had multiple lesions, 28 (68.3%) had T1 hyperintensity, 39 (95%) had contrast enhancement (eccentric n=24, concentric n=10, mixed n=5 ) and 27 (66%) had significant enhancement. Overall, VWMRI suggested a different pathological mechanism of stroke in 16 patients comparing with the original impression. Higher creatinine and lower HDL levels were significantly (p<0.05) associated with presence of multiple vs single lesion on VWMRI. LDL was significantly (p=0.04) higher in those with eccentric vs concentric enhancement. The median follow-up was 28.4 (IQR 13- 47) months, and primary outcome occurred in 6 (13.3%) patients. VWMRI features were not associated with the primary outcome. Conclusions: Presence of some degree of enhancement is common (95%) in patients with ischemic stroke attributed to intracranial vasculopathies. The VWMRI features were not associated with the primary clinical outcome. VWMRI may help to clarify the etiology of the stroke mechanisms. These findings warrant further evaluation in larger studies.
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