脑磁共振灌注成像对于大脑中动脉狭窄患者的临床意义

目的探讨脑磁共振灌注成像(perfusion-weighted imaging,PWI)对于大脑中动脉狭窄患者的临床运用价值。方法选取本院2013年1月~2014年1月神经内科经颅内数字减影血管造影(Digital subtraction angiography,DSA)诊断为单侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)狭窄或闭塞的35例患者,并行脑磁共振灌注成像(Perfusion Weighted Imaging,PWI)检查,并对不同程度MCA狭窄状态下患侧和健侧大脑半球的脑灌注参数局部脑血容量(r CBV)、局部脑血流量(r CBF)、局部平均通过时间(r M...     

大脑中动脉重度狭窄及闭塞患者侧支循环及脑灌注评估与预后的关系

目的 探讨大脑中动脉重度狭窄及闭塞的急性脑梗死患者责任血管范围侧支循环及磁共振灌注状态与预后的关系。方法 选取2018年1月-2019年7月在徐州医科大学附属医院神经内科住院行CT血管成像检查诊断单侧大脑中动脉重度狭窄及闭塞的急性脑梗死患者79例,根据侧支循环情况分为侧支循环良好组及侧支循环不良组,均行磁共振灌注加权成像检查,比较灌注参数情况、入院时与治疗7 d后NIHSS评分及出院3个月后的MRS评分、出院3个月内终点事件情况。结果(1)侧支循环良好组患侧rCBV增加,rTTP、rMTT延长(P均<0.01); 侧支循环不良组患侧rTTP、rMTT延长,患侧rCBF降低(P<0.01);(2)侧支循环不良组患侧rMTT、rCBV低于侧支循环良好组(P<0.05);(3)侧支循环良好组入院时、治疗7 d后NIHSS评分、出院3个月后MRS评分、出院3个月内终点事件发生率均较侧支循环不良组低(P<0.05)。结论 良好的侧支循环及脑灌注状态对大脑中动脉重度狭窄及闭塞导致急性脑梗死患者的预后改善有重要意义     

大脑中动脉闭塞患者侧支循环与脑灌注研究

目的探讨大脑中动脉(MCA)闭塞患者脑侧支循环建立情况及其对脑灌注的影响。方法 46例单侧MCA闭塞患者,均行320排CT血管成像(CTA)联合CT灌注成像(CTP)检查,根据侧支循环分布状况分为侧支循环丰富组和侧支循环减少组,获取双侧MCA供血区的各项脑灌注参数值,即局部脑血流量(cerebral blood volume,CBV)、局部脑血容量(cerebral blood flood,CBF)、达峰时间(time to peak,TTP)及平均通过时间(mean transit time,MTT),用Rcbv、Rcbf、Rttp、Rmtt表示患侧与健侧各灌注参数的比值。对比分析健患两侧的脑灌注差异及两组患者脑灌注的不同。结果相比健侧,患侧MCA供血区TTP明显延长(P0.05),CBV、CBF略升高(P0.05),MTT略延长(P0.05)。侧支丰富组Rcbv、Rcbf均高于侧支减少组(P0.05),Rmtt低于侧支减少组(P0.05),Rttp高于侧支减少组(P0.05)。结论丰富的脑侧支循环可以有效地改善闭塞MCA远端缺血区脑组织的血流灌注。     

灌注磁共振成像在缺血性脑血管病外科治疗中的作用

目的探讨灌注磁共振成像(PWI)在缺血性脑血管病外科治疗中的作用。方法回顾性分析24例缺血性脑血管病患者的临床及影像学资料。并对外科治疗患者术前、术后均行PWI检查，以比较患者的脑血流灌注情况。结果本组患者中，单侧颈内动脉严重狭窄或闭塞9例，单侧大脑中动脉严重狭窄或闭塞8例，颅内、外动脉系统多发性狭窄或闭塞5例，烟雾病2例。术前PWI显示局部脑血流量(rCBF)正常、平均通过时间(MTY)升高15例，rCBF降低、MTT升高8例，rCBF和MTT均正常1例。23例接受外科治疗，其中13例行支架血管成形术，4例行颈动脉内膜切除术，6例颞浅动脉一大脑中动脉(STA—MCA)动脉吻合术；术后PWI改善19例(82．6％)，其中支架血管成形术12例(92．3％)，颈动脉内膜切除术4例(100％)，STA—MCA吻合术3例(50％)。结论PWI可以评价缺血性脑血管病患者的脑血流灌注异常及外科治疗后有效地改善脑血流灌注的情况。     

Willis环结构及功能对颈动脉重度狭窄患者支架置入术的决策影响

目的探讨CTA、CT灌注成像联合DSA评估单侧颈动脉重度狭窄患者,Willis环结构及功能对颈动脉支架置入的决策影响。方法根据CTA筛选出单侧颈动脉狭窄90%的患者80例,40例经DSA证实有通过前交通动脉和/或后交通动脉向狭窄侧代偿供血,称Willis环代偿组;另40例经DSA证实没有向狭窄侧的代偿血供,称Willis环无代偿组。两组均同时行CTP检查,测量并计算两组大脑中动脉供血区的相对脑血容量(rCBV)、相对脑血流量(rCBF)、相对平均通过时间(rMTT)和相对达峰时间(rTTP)。对40例Willis环无代偿组的颈动脉狭窄患者给与支架置入术,残余狭窄30%,术后7 d再次行CT灌注扫描。Willis环无代偿组术前、术后的相对灌注参数分别与Willis环代偿组比较。结果 Willis环无代偿组术前rMTT、rTTP与Willis环代偿组比较有统计学差异(P0.05),Willis环无代偿组术后与Willis环代偿组rCBV、rCBF、rMTT、rTTP比较均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论对单侧颈动脉重度狭窄的患者,Willis的结构和功能可明显改变脑血流分布,为颈动脉支架置入术的选择提供参考。     

大脑中动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者脑梗死病灶类型与CT灌注成像分析

目的比较大脑中动脉(MCA)重度狭窄或闭塞患者不同脑梗死病灶类型的灌注状态。方法对89例MCA严重狭窄或闭塞患者进行头颅320排CTA+CT灌注成像检查,比较不同梗死病灶类型患者MCA闭塞率、侧支循环程度、MCA供血区灌注情况。结果 89例患者中,穿支动脉梗死(PAI)8例(9.0%)、皮质分支动脉梗死(PI)7例(7.9%)、大面积梗死(LTI)7例(7.9%)、分水岭梗死(BZI)43例(48.3%)、多发性脑梗死(MI)13例(14.6%)、无梗死灶11例(12.4%);不同类型梗死灶间MCA M1段病变、血管闭塞及不良侧支循环比率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。不同类型梗死灶局部脑血流量(rCBF)患健比、达峰时间(TTP)患健比差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。BZI组rCBF患健比显著高于LTI组与无梗死灶组(均P0.05);LTI组及BZI组TTP患健比显著高于无梗死灶组及PAI组(均P0.05),MI组TTP患健比较无梗死灶组升高(P0.05)。LTI组MCA供血区低灌注发生率显著高于无梗死灶组(P0.05)。不同亚型BZI组间低灌注异常及不良侧支循环率差异有统计学意义(均P0.05),各灌注参数、MCA M1段病变及闭塞比率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论 LTI为失代偿期表现,低灌注发生率最高,其余类型为代偿期表现。皮质下型分水岭梗死较其他亚型侧支循环差,低灌注发生率更高,与血流动力学受损为主要病因的观点相符。MCA重度狭窄或闭塞患者脑梗死病灶类型以BZI为主。     

CTP在颅内动脉狭窄支架成形术中的术前评估价值

目的 分析CT脑灌注成像(CTP)在重度症状性颅内动脉狭窄支架成形术前后的变化,探讨其对术前评估的价值.方法 根据术前CTP将58例颅内动脉狭窄程度＞70％患者分为低灌注组和正常灌注组,术后3个月查CTP,比较相对局部脑血流量(rCBF)、脑血容量(rCBV)、平均通过时间(rMTT)、达峰时间(rTTP)变化及疗效.结果 低灌注组术后rCBF、rMTT、rTTP改善明显(P＜0.05).低灌注组术后缺血事件发生率较正常组低,改良Rankin评分(mRS)≤2人数增加,神经功能改善明显(P＜0.05).结论 术前CTP检查对于重度症状性颅内动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的治疗术前评估有重要指导意义.     

联合应用经颅多普勒超声(TCD)及定量脑电图(qEEG)评估单侧大脑中动脉重度狭窄或闭塞者脑功能改变的临床价值

目的探讨联合应用经颅多普勒超声(transcranial doppler,TCD)及定量脑电图(quantitative electroencephalogram,qEEG)对单侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)重度狭窄或闭塞者脑功能改变的早期诊断价值。方法对2012年5月-2014年9月在吉林大学第一医院神经内科经TCD诊断单侧MCA重度狭窄或闭塞者74例,包括症状组45例及无症状组29例,及年龄性别匹配的健康对照组25例,应用联合了EEG及TCD的神经监护仪、核磁共振灌注成像(perfusion weight imaging,PWI)、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(national institute of health stroke scale,NIHSS)评分,分别比较MCA重度狭窄或闭塞侧与健侧脑区的qEEG相对波段功率(relative band power,RBP)、软脑膜侧支的血流动力学参数、脑灌注及神经功能缺损程度。结果与无症状组比较,症状组qEEG的δ波、θ波RBP值高,而α波RBP值低(P0.05)。症状组MCA分布区δ波RBP值狭窄侧较健侧高,α波、β波RBP值低(P0.01)。TCD显示MCA重度狭窄或闭塞侧大脑前动脉、大脑后动脉血流动力学的参数无症状组高于症状组(P0.05)。PWI显示CBF下降组δ波RBP值较CBF正常组高(P0.05)。症状组全脑区δ波RBP值与NIHSS分值呈正相关(r=0.83,P=0.000)。结论 qEEG的RBP参数是评估MCA重度狭窄或闭塞者脑缺血神经功能缺损的预测指标。TCD联合qEEG的神经血流监护仪是评估MCA狭窄神经元功能、侧支循环及脑组织灌注的新工具。     

症状性颈内动脉狭窄支架术后脑灌注变化

目的观察症状性颈内动脉狭窄患者支架置入术后脑灌注的变化。方法症状性颈内动脉狭窄血管成形术患者56例,术前及术后分别行CT脑灌注成像,观察局部脑血流速度(rCBF)、局部脑血容积(CBV)、平均通过时间(MTT)及达峰时间(TTP)的变化。结果 56例患者术前及术后CT灌注成像检查结果显示,术前患侧rCBF低于对侧,术后两侧比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);MTT术前、术后及对侧比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),TTP术前患侧较健侧延长,术后病变侧与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论采用颈内动脉支架置入术治疗颈内动脉狭窄安全有效,可明显改善患者脑灌注。     

椎动脉发育不全对小脑后下动脉供血区脑灌注的影响

目的探讨椎动脉发育不全(vertebral artery hypoplasia,VAH)对小脑后下动脉供血区脑灌注的影响。方法选择2014-12—2015-07年龄≥30岁并行头颅磁共振灌注成像和头颈部三维对比增强磁共振血管造影检查的头晕或眩晕患者244例。获脑血流量(CBF)、脑血容量(CBV)、平均通过时间(MTT)和达峰时间(TTP)灌注图,测量一侧小脑后下动脉供血区及对侧镜像区的灌注参数值(CBF、CBV、MTT、TTP),计算椎动脉直径较小侧/对侧镜像区的灌注参数相对比值(rCBF、rCBV、rMTT、rTTP)。定义VAH为椎动脉直径≤2mm,或双侧椎动脉不对称比≥1.7:1,分为VAH组和non-VAH(Nonhypoplasitic vertebral artey)组,对临床资料和小脑、延髓灌参数相对比值进行比较。结果共纳入114例患者,男女各57例;VAH组31例(27.2%),左侧5例(16%),右侧26例(84%);Non-VAH组83例。2组间VA直径较小侧与对侧的rTTP和rCBF≤0.85的例数存在显著统计学差异(P值分别为0.005,0.031);rCBF倾向于有统计学差异(P=0.098);rCBV、rMTT及rCBV≤0.85例数无显著统计学差异。结论 VAH可以造成小脑后下动脉供血区域低灌注改变,且以TTP延长或CBF降低为主。     

磁共振灌注成像在烟雾病血管重建术中的临床应用价值

目的 探讨磁共振灌注成像（PWI）在烟雾病血管重建术中的应用价值。方法 回顾性分析2015年1月到2018年1月血管重建术治疗的33例成年缺血型烟雾病的临床资料。术前、术后3个月,采用DSA检查评估血管重建术效果;采用PWI评估脑灌注。结果 33例中,术后27例临床表现明显好转。术后3个月,DSA显示脑部供血状况良好;PWI显示相对脑血容量增加不明显（P>0.05）,但是额叶和颞叶相对脑血流量显著增加（P<0.05）,相对平均血流通过时间和相对达峰时间均明显缩短（P<0.05）。结论 PWI可以定量地分析烟雾病血管重建术前后的脑血流动力学参数的变化,有效地评估手术效果。     

Prediction of infarct volume and neurologic outcome by using automated multiparametric perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in a primate model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion

By optimizing thresholds, we identified the perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) parameters that accurately predict final infarct volume and neurologic outcome in a primate model of permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Ten cynomolgus monkeys underwent PWI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3 and 47 hours, respectively, after right MCA occlusion using platinum coils, and were killed at 48 hours. Volumes of the hypoperfused areas on PWI were automatically measured using different thresholds and 11 parametric maps to determine the optimum threshold (at which least difference was found between the average volumes on PWI and those determined using specimens or DWI). In the case of arrival time (AT), cerebral blood volume (CBV), time to peak (TTP), time to maximum (T_max), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) determined using deconvolution techniques, the volume of the hypoperfused area significantly correlated with the infarct volumes and the neurologic deficit scores with small variations, whereas in the case of mean transit time and nondeconvolution CBF, relatively poor correlations with large variations were seen. At optimum threshold, AT, CBV, TTP, T_max, and deconvolution CBF can accurately predict the final infarct volume and neurologic outcome in monkeys with permanent MCA occlusion.     

Lesion development and reperfusion benefit in relation to vascular occlusion patterns after embolic stroke in rats

Vascular occlusion sites largely determine the pattern of cerebral tissue damage and likelihood of subsequent reperfusion after acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to elucidate relationships between flow obstruction in segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA), and (1) profiles of acute ischemic lesions and (2) probability of subsequent beneficial reperfusion. Embolic stroke was induced by unilateral intracarotid blood clot injection in normotensive (n=53) or spontaneously hypertensive (n=20) rats, followed within 2 hours by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography (MRA), diffusion- (DWI) and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (PWI). In a subset of animals (n=9), MRI was repeated after 24 and 168 hours to determine the predictive value of the occlusion pattern on benefit of reperfusion. The extent of cerebral perfusion and diffusion abnormality was related to the pattern of flow obstruction in ICA and MCA segments. Hypertensive animals displayed significantly larger cortical perfusion lesions. Acute perfusion-diffusion lesion mismatches were detected in all animals that subsequently benefitted from reperfusion. Yet, the presence of an angiography-diffusion mismatch was more specific in predicting reperfusion benefit. Combination of DWI, PWI, and MRA exclusively informs on the impact of arterial occlusion profiles after acute ischemic stroke, which may improve prognostication and subsequent treatment decisions.     

Borderzone hemodynamics in cerebrovascular disease

To investigate the possible existence of chronic selective hemodynamic impairment in the arterial borderzone regions of the brain, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure regional mean vascular transit time (rt, equal to the ratio of regional cerebral blood volume to cerebral blood flow) and regional oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) in 32 patients with either severe internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion and 11 normal controls. Twenty-four of the patients had had TIAs or amaurosis fugax from 1 to 60 days before PET; all had normal brain CT. We used a stereotactic localization method to locate the anterior and posterior borderzone regions of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. We then calculated ratios of each borderzone to the ipsilateral MCA territory for both rt and rOEF. There was no significant difference from control ratios in any patient subgroup including those with greater than or equal to 75% stenosis or occlusion, those with or without contralateral greater than or equal to 50% stenosis, or those with abnormal hemodynamics in the MCA territory. We therefore found no evidence for selective borderzone hemodynamic impairment in this group of patients with severe carotid artery disease.     

A Case of Cervical Spinal Cord Glioblastoma Diagnosed with MR Diffusion Tensor and Perfusion Imaging

Intramedullary glioblastomas in adult patients have rarely been reported. We describe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, include findings on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) in a case of autopsy‐confirmed glioblastoma in a 72‐year‐old man. Serial MR examinations, DTI and PWI, and positron emission tomography examinations were performed. The tumor involved the medulla oblongata and the upper cervical spinal cord. Traditional MR imaging findings were unclear with regard to the differential diagnosis between intramedullary glioma or a tumefactive demyelinating lesion, but an increase in regional cerebral blood volume and a decrease in fractional anisotropy of the lesion correctly suggested a high‐grade glioma. MR PWI and DTI may prove helpful to diagnose glioblastoma of the cervical cord when other imaging features are inconclusive.     

核磁共振脑灌注成像及DWI联合应用在诊断早期脑梗死缺血半暗带中的临床价值

目的 探讨核磁共振脑部灌注加权成像(PWI)及脑部弥散加权成像(DWI)联合应用在诊断早期脑梗死缺血半暗带中的临床价值。方法 本研究中的受试对象均来自2016年1月-2017年4月来本院就诊的脑梗死患者,选出符合纳入标准的100例作为研究对象,并根据脑梗死发生时间分成超急性期、急性期、亚急性期和慢性期,分别观察PWI和DWI表现,以表观弥散系数(ADC)为DWI的检测评价指标,以局部脑血容量(rCBV)、局部脑血流量(rCBF)、平均通过时间(MTT)和达峰时间(TTP)为PWI的检测评价指标,并比较不同时期脑梗死的PWI和DWI表现。结果 随着脑梗死患者发病时间的延长,T₂WI显示信号随之增高,DWI信号随之降低,ADC信号随之增高。随着梗死时间延长,梗死区ADC值随之增加,健侧对应区随着梗死时间的变化,ADC值无明显变化; 在每个不同分期中健侧对应区的ADC值均高于梗死区(P均<0.05); 超急性期rCBV和rCBF值均为降低信号,MTT和TTP均为升高信号; 急性期rCBV、rCBF、MTT和TTP值在三种信号上均有表现,但rCBV和rCBF值均以降低信号为主,MTT和TTP均以升高信号为主; 亚急性期中rCBV和rCBF为正常和降低信号,其中以正常信号为主,MTT和TTP均为降低和升高信号,并以升高信号为主; 慢性期rCBV和rCBF均表现为降低信号,MTT和TTP均为降低和升高信号,并以降低信号为主; 超急性期DWIPWI均有表现,并以DWIPWI均有表现,并以DWIPWI为主; 亚急性期DWI=PWI和DWI>PWI均有表现,并以DWI=PWI为主; 慢性期均为DWI=PWI。结论 PWI联合DWI对脑梗死早期的诊断价值较高,PWI对缺血半暗带有较好的诊断,其与DWI相结合可更准确地判定缺血半暗带。     

大脑中动脉狭窄的动态演变与其周围微小血管的关系

目的 探讨用高分辨磁共振成像（high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging,HRMRI）随访大脑中动脉 （middle cerebral artery,MCA）狭窄或闭塞病例时发现的MCA狭窄或闭塞与其周围微小血管的关系。 方法 收集2007年7月-2015年3月于北京协和医院因MCA狭窄或闭塞多次行HRMRI检查的病例（共20 例）,分析其MCA狭窄或闭塞的变化与其周围微小血管的关系。 结果 20例患者中7例的MCA由狭窄转变为闭塞（35.00%）,其中有6例出现狭窄或闭塞周围微小 血管（85.71%）;13例MCA的狭窄无明显变化,其中有3例的狭窄或闭塞周围微小血管状况出现变化 （23.08%）;两组比较差异具有显著性（P =0.02）。 结论 大脑中动脉狭窄或闭塞的周围微小血管可能与狭窄度的加重相关。     

Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging at 1.5 T predicts final infarct size in a rat stroke model

The purpose of the present animal experiment was to determine whether source images from dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) at a 1.5T MR scanner, performed early after photochemically induced thrombosis (PIT) of cerebral middle artery (MCA), is feasible to predict final cerebral infarct size in a rat stroke model. Fifteen rats were subjected to PIT of proximal MCA. T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and contrast-enhanced PWI were obtained at 1 h and 24 h after MCA occlusion. The relative lesion size (RLS) was defined as lesion volume/brain volume x 100% and measured for MR images, and compared with the final RLS on the gold standard triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h. One hour after MCA occlusion, the RLS with DSC-PWI was 24.9 +/- 6.3%, which was significantly larger than 17.6 +/- 4.8% with DWI (P < 0.01). At 24 h, the final RLS on TTC was 24.3 +/- 4.8%, which was comparable to 25.1 +/- 3.5%, 24.6 +/- 3.6% and 27.9 +/- 6.8% with T2WI, DWI and DSC-PWI respectively (P > 0.05). The fact that at 1 h after MCA occlusion only the displayed perfusion deficit was similar to the final infarct size on TTC (P > 0.05) suggests that early source images from DSC-PWI at 1.5T MR scanner is feasible to noninvasively predict the final infarct size in rat models of stroke.     

急性脑梗死散在和单一弥散加权成像病损与其供血动脉狭窄的关系

目的 探讨急性脑梗死弥散加权磁共振成像(DWI)上大脑中动脉(MCA)供血区散在性或单一性缺血性病损与其脑供血动脉狭窄或闭塞的关系.方法 回顾性分析73例连续积累的DWI显示一侧MCA供血区脑梗死的病例,入组病例均排除心源性栓塞性脑梗死,所有患者均在发病24 h内进行MRI和MRA等检查,7例患者并进行DSA.采用DWI急性缺血性病损分类方法 分为散在病损组和单一病损组,比较两组的病灶同侧MCA、颈内动脉(ICA)颅内段和颅外段狭窄或闭塞的发生率.结果 散在病损组42例,单一病损组31例.在病损同侧ICA颅外段和MCA闭塞或重度狭窄方面两组差异有统计学意义(28.6%与0,x2=10.6,P=0.001).在病损同侧ICA颅内段并MCA轻中度狭窄方面,两组间差异具有统计学意义(31.0%与9.7%,x2=4.717,P=0.03).散在病损与MCA和(或)ICA严重或多发狭窄呈正相关(OR值为13.7,95%CI:3.6～52.5).在MRA或DSA未发现颅内外大血管狭窄方面,两组间差异具有统计学意义(11.9%与32.3%,x2=4.526,P=0.033).散在病损组与无明显血管狭窄呈负相关(OR值为0.284,95%CI:0.09～0.94).结论 (1)脑梗死急性期DWI显示的MCA区散在性病损患者,MCA和ICA狭窄、甚至闭塞的可能性较大,以ICA颅外段闭塞较为常见;(2)DWI显示单一病损时提示脑供血动脉狭窄程度较轻,范围较局限,小血管病变的可能性相对较高,很少为严重的ICA颅外段狭窄或闭塞.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the relationship between scattered or single lesion of acute cerebral infarction in middle cerebral artery territory on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and stenosis of middle cerebral artery (MCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods With exclusion of cardioembolism, 73 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction of the unilateral MCA territory on DWI were analyzed. All patients got magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA) within 24 hours after onset, and 7 patients also had digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The patients were classified into single lesion group or scattered lesions group according to the DWI findings. The incidence of stenosis or occlusion of ipsolateral MCA, intracranial and extracranial ICA were compared between the two groups. Results 42 patients had scattered lesions and 31 patients had single lesion. The scattered-lesions group had a high incidence of ipsilateral extracranial ICA or MCA occlusion or severe stenosis ( 25.6%versus 0, x2 = 10.6, P = 0.001 ) and a high incidence of ipsilateral intracranial ICA or MCA moderate or mild stenosis (31.0% versus 9.7% ,x2 =4.717, P =0.03 ). A positive correlation was found between the scattered lesions and severe or multifocal stenosis of ipsilateral ICA and MCA ( OR: 13.7, 95% CI: 3.6 to 52.5). There was a low incidence of absence of extra- and intracranial stenosis on MRA or DSA in the scattered-lesions group ( 11.9% versus 32.3%, x2= 4.526, P = 0.033 ). A negative correlation was found between the scattered lesions and absence of large-artery stenosis ( OR: 0.284, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.94).Conclusions ( 1 ) Patients with acute cerebral infarction and scattered lesions on DWI were more likely to suffer from stenosis or occlusion of ICA or MCA, especially over the extracranial ICA. (2) Patients with single lesion were less likely to have severe or multiple stenosis of MCA and ICA, indicating the relevance of small-vessel pathogenesis.