Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is associated with brain MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis

The clinical significance of white matter changes including periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) on MRI in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus is unclear. We investigated the correlation between ventricular size and white matter changes in healthy individuals. We performed MRI in 683 (mean age 59; 55% men) neurologically normal adults without a history or radiological findings of brain disease or trauma, who were undergoing brain health screening. The correlation between Evans' index and severity of white matter changes was analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the main clinical factors influencing ventricular enlargement and white matter changes. Evans' index was 0.248 ± 0.026 (mean ± SD). Incidence of PVH was 40% and DWMH was 29%. Evans' index was weakly correlated with PVH grading (ρ = 0.24; P < .01) and DWMH grading (ρ = 0.24; P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (β = 0.034; SE = 0.003) diastolic blood pressure (0.004; 0.002), Evans' index (0.019; 0.009), and a history of hypertension (0.173; 0.053) had a significant impact on PVH grade, whereas age (0.030; 0.003) and history of hypertension (0.224; 0.049) were related to DWMH grade. It was suggested that there is an independent correlation between ventricular enlargement and PVH in normal adults. This finding in a normal population could be due to the presence of preclinical disease, but its bearing on the changes that occur in normal pressure hydrocephalus remain uncertain at the present time.     

White matter changes in normal pressure hydrocephalus and Binswanger disease: specificity,predictive value and correlations to axonal degeneration and demyelination

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the diagnostic and prognostic value of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes and their relation to symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of demyelination (sulphatide) and axonal degeneration [neurofilament triplet protein (NFL)] in a large series of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and Binswanger disease (BD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: PVH and DWMH were determined by a semi-automatic segmentation method on T2-weighted images in 29 patients with NPH and 17 patients with BD. CSF analyses, psychometric testing and quantification of balance, gait and continence were performed in all patients and also postoperatively in NPH patients. RESULTS: No MRI variable could identify NPH or BD patients. Abundant PVH and DWMH preoperatively correlated with improvement in gait, balance and psychometric performance after shunt surgery (P < 0.05). CSF sulphatide correlated positively with the amount of DWMH (P < 0.05) while NFL was correlated to both PVH and DWMH (P < 0.05). Abundant PVH correlated with poor psychometric performance while DWMH correlated with gait disturbance (P < 0.05). Postoperative reduction in PVH correlated with improvement in gait, balance and psychometric performance. CONCLUSION: In spite of a refined quantification method, NPH and BD patients exhibited similar MRI changes. MRI had a predictive value in NPH patients. DWMH might relate to demyelination and PVH to neuronal axonal dysfunction. NPH and BD share the major part of symptoms and MRI changes, indicating a common pathophysiological pattern, and we raise the question of how to treat BD patients.     

Significance of microbleeds in patients with transient ischaemic attack

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of microbleeds in TIA‐patients. In patients with a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), the prognostic value of microbleeds is unknown. Methods: In 176 consecutive TIA patients, the number, size, and location of microbleeds with or without acute ischaemic lesions were assessed. We compared microbleed‐positive and microbleed‐negative patients with regard to the end‐point stroke within 3 months. Results: Four of the seven patients with subsequent stroke had microbleeds. Microbleed‐positive patients had a higher risk for stroke [odds ratios (OR) 8.91, 95% CI 1.87–42.51, P < 0.01] than those without microbleeds. Microbleed‐positive patients with accompanying acute ischaemic lesions had a higher stroke risk than those with neither an acute ischaemia nor a microbleed (OR 6.20, 95% CI 1.10–35.12; P = 0.04). Conclusion: Microbleeds alone or in combination with acute ischaemic lesions may increase the risk for subsequent ischaemic stroke after TIA within 3 months.     

Transcranial Doppler Pulsatility Indices as a Measure of Diffuse Small-Vessel Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elevation in pulsatility indices (PIs) as measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) have been postulated to reflect downstream increased vascular resistance caused by small-vessel ischemic disease. METHODS: The authors retrospectively compared TCD PIs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations of small-vessel disease in 55 consecutive patients who underwent TCD studies and brain MRI within 6 months of each other during a 2-year period. RESULTS: Correlations between TCD middle cerebral artery PIs and MRI measures were as follows: periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) = 0.52 (P < .0001), deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) = 0.54 (P < .0001), lacunar disease = 0.31 (P = .02), and combined PVH/DWMH/lacunes = 0.54 (P < .0001). Correlation between pontine ischemia and vertebrobasilar PIs was 0.46 (P = .0004). Univariate analysis showed that age, elevated PI, and hypertension strongly correlated with white matter disease measures. After adjusting for these factors in a multivariate Poisson regression analysis, PI remained an independent predictor of white matter disease. Receiver operator curve analyses identified PI cut points that allowed discrimination of PVH with 89% sensitivity and 86% specificity and discrimination of DWMH with 70% sensitivity and 73% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation in PIs as measured by TCD shows strong correlation with MRI evidence of small-vessel disease. TCD may be a useful physiologic index of the presence and severity of diffuse small-vessel disease.     

MRI lesion severity and mortality in geriatric depression.

OBJECTIVE: The authors correlated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion severity and mortality among depressed elderly patients. METHOD: They examined the association of mortality and deep white-matter hyperintensity (DWMH), periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), and subcortical gray-matter hyperintensity (SGH) ratings in 259 subjects. RESULTS: DWMH and PVH were significantly associated with mortality initially, and, in final modeling, DWMH remained significant. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there is a relationship between cerebrovascular disease severity and mortality among depressed patients. More studies, with larger sample sizes, comparing depressed patients and control subjects are needed to further elucidate this relationship.     

Spatial relation between microbleeds and amyloid deposits in amyloid angiopathy

Advanced cerebrovascular β‐amyloid deposition (cerebral amyloid angiopathy, CAA) is associated with cerebral microbleeds, but the precise relationship between CAA burden and microbleeds is undefined. We used T2*‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and noninvasive amyloid imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) to analyze the spatial relationship between CAA and microbleeds. On coregistered positron emission tomography (PET) and MRI images, PiB retention was increased at microbleed sites compared to simulated control lesions (p = 0.002) and declined with increasing distance from the microbleed (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that microbleeds occur preferentially in local regions of concentrated amyloid and support therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing vascular amyloid deposition. Ann Neurol 2010     

脑微出血与脑白质病变及腔隙性梗死关系研究

目的 探讨脑微出血（cerebral microbleeds,CMBs）与脑白质病变（white matter lesions,WML）及腔隙性 梗死（lacunar infarcts,LI）的关系。 方法 连续纳入2010年2月至2012年2月解放军总医院南楼神经内科病房根据病史及头颅影像学检 查确诊患有脑血管病或具有高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症等脑血管病危险因素者217例。采用GE公司 1.5T磁共振成像行头颅常规序列及T2 *血管加权成像（T2 star weighted angiography,SWAN）序列扫 描。记录深部及皮层部位CMBs病灶数,按照Fazekas评分和Scheltens改良量表将脑室旁白质高信号 （peri-ventricular hyperintensities,PVH）和深部白质高信号（deep white m atter hyperintensities,DWMH） 分别评分,根据病灶数量评估LI的严重程度分析CMBs与PVH、DWMH及LI的关系。 结果 随着PVH和DWMH评分的升高,CMBs的检出率分别由41.8%（PVH=1）及40.8%（DWMH=1）升高 至68.8%（PVH=3）及76.9%（DWMH=3）;随着LI数量的增加,CMBs的检出率由46.3%升高至75%。深 部CMBs与PVH及DWMH的严重程度有较强相关性（rs =0.345,P＜0.001;rs =0.346,P＜0.001）,与LI 亦显 著相关（r s =0.281,P＜0.001）;而皮层CMBs与PVH及DWMH严重程度仅呈弱相关（r s =0.219,P =0.001; rs =0.189,P =0.005）,与LI无显著相关性。 结论 深部CMBs与脑室旁及深部脑白质病变、LI相关。     

磁共振成像脑微出血与抗栓治疗脑出血相关

目的 观察脑微出血是否与抗栓治疗颅内出血(ICH)相关。方法 选择本院从2005年6月至2010年6月共43例抗栓治疗的脑出血患者,选择同期年龄、性别、高血压史相匹配的非抗栓治疗的脑出血患者及无脑出血史的抗栓药物使用患者作对照。结果 抗栓治疗脑出血组较无脑出血史的抗栓药物组更易发生脑微出血[31/43(72.1％)与12/57(21.1％),x2=6.731,P=0.011],抗栓治疗脑出血组较非抗栓治疗脑出血组更易发生脑微出血[31/43 (72.1％)与17/48 (35.4％),x2 =4.971,P=0.030]。脑叶微出血在抗栓治疗脑出血组为27/43(62.8％),而在非抗栓治疗脑出血组为19/48 (39.6％),两组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=4.019,P=0.042)。脑微出血数目是抗栓治疗脑出血的危险因素（OR=1.38,95％CI 1.07～1.71,t=0.806,P=0.021）。结论 脑微出血与抗栓治疗脑出血相关。     

脑微出血的影像学与脑卒中临床研究

目的：探讨脑微出血（CMBs）与脑卒中发生和发展之间的关系。方法：对脑出血50例（脑出血组）、腩梗死50例（脑梗死组）和非腩血管病患者30例（对照组）行常规磁共振序列加梯度回波T2^＊加权（GRE—T2^＊）检查，分别记录CMBs的发生例数、部位、数日，脑卒中部位，脑白质疏松情况和患者高血压、高血脂、糖尿病等资料。结果：CMBs发生率在腩出血组为76％，脑梗死组为36％，对照组为10％。CMBs的发生与高血压、脑卒中病史、年龄和脑白质疏松有关；与血脂和血糖无关。结论：CMBs在脑卒中患者中有较高的发生率，加强对CMBs的充分认识，对于提高脑卒中的防治有重要意义。     

Quantitative Analysis of White Matter Hyperintensity: Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Image Analysis Software

ObjectiveWhite matter hyperintensity (WMH), defined as abnormal signals on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is an important clinical indicator of aging and dementia. Although MRI image analysis software can automatically detect WMH, the quantitative accuracy of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) is unknown.Materials and MethodsThis study was a sub-analysis of MRI data from an ongoing hospital-based prospective cohort study (the Gimlet study). Between March 2016 and March 2017, we enrolled patients who visited our memory clinic and agreed to undergo medical assessments of cognitive function and fecal examination to study the gut microbiome. Participants with a history of stroke were excluded. WMH was independently quantitatively analyzed using two MRI imaging analysis software modalities: SNIPER and FUSION. Intraclass correlation coefficients and the mean difference in volume were calculated and compared between modalities.ResultsThe data of 87 patients (49 women, mean age 74.8 ± 7.9 years) were analyzed. Both total WMH and DWMH volumes obtained using FUSION were greater (p < 0.001), and PVH volume was smaller (p < 0.001) than those obtained using SNIPER. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the lesion measurements of WMH, PVH, and DWMH between the different software were 0.726 (p < 0.001), 0.673 (p < 0.001), and 0.048 (p = 0.231), respectively.ConclusionsThere were significant differences in the quantitative data of WMH between the two MRI imaging analysis software modalities. Thus, care should be taken for quantitative assessments of WMH.     

Magnetization transfer ratio in cerebral white matter lesions of Binswanger's disease.

We measured the magnetization transfer (MT) ratios in white matter lesions of Binswanger's disease (BD) and compared them with BD and with similar-appearing changes in non-demented elderly subjects and cerebral infarction. Four subject groups were studied: 30 patients with BD and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) on MRI, 29 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular event with PVH but no dementia, 17 patients with old cerebral infarction, and 26 elderly control subjects. MT ratios were calculated for areas of PVH in BD and non-demented subjects, of infarction, and of normal-appearing white matter in controls. The decrease in MT ratios for areas in PVH of non-demented subjects and BD and in infarction compared with normal white matter in controls was 12, 20, and 35%, respectively. The MT ratio in PVH of BD was significantly lower than that in PVH of non-demented subjects, but not to the levels seen in areas of infarction. There was a significant high correlation between the Mini-Mental State Examination score and MT ratio for area of PVH (r = 0.790). MT ratio distinguishes PVH in BD patients from those in non-demented subjects, suggesting underlying histopathological differences. Tissue damage in white matter lesions of BD may be more severe than that in non-demented subjects, but not as much as with complete infarction.     

急性脑梗死合并脑微出血有关危险因素的研究

目的 了解急性脑梗死合并CMBs的相关危险因素,探讨急性脑梗死患者发生CMBs的机制.方法 2005年3月～2007年12月住院的脑梗死患者651例,全部研究对象进行MRI自旋回波序列(SE)、快速自旋回波序列(FSE)、场回波序列(FE)、梯度回波(GRE)扫描,并对58种影响因素进行调查,对有关危险因素进行分型、分类、分级后,用卡方检验和多元回归方法进行分析.结果 多因素Logistic回归分析发现平均动脉压、心衰、APTT为微出血患病的独立危险因素(P<0.05).Ⅲ级高血压是CMBs的相关因素(P=0.024),入院时平均动脉压每增高1mmHg,微出血风险加大5.5%(P=0.000);有心衰史的患者微出血风险增加5.299倍(P=0.042);APTT升高1秒,微出血发生的可能增加6%(P=0.007).Ⅱ级及以上脑白质稀疏、Ⅱ～Ⅲ级腔隙性梗死亦是脑微出血的相关因素.结论 (1)平均动脉压、心衰、APTT为微出血患病的独立危险因素;(2)CMBs的发生可能与急性脑梗死无直接关系;(3)抗栓溶栓治疗不是CMB发生的危险因素;(4)急性脑梗死合并CMBs的患者在颅内较大血管病变的同时,亦存在着广泛的微血管病.     

Microbleeds and free active MMP‐9 are independent risk factors for neurological deterioration in acute lacunar stroke

Background and purpose: In this prospective study, we evaluated mutual relationships amongst microbleeds, matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and neurological deterioration in patients with their first acute lacunar stroke. Methods: Based on diffusion‐weighted image findings, we recruited 206 patients with their first acute lacunar stroke. Those without a MRI scan were excluded. Small (a maximum lesion diameter of 15 mm) areas of subcortical gray and white matter with increased signals were considered as lacunar infarctions. GRE images were obtained within 24 h of the onset of stroke symptoms. Venous blood was sampled at base line (within 24 h). Clinical, biochemical, rheological and inflammatory parameters, neurological scales and free, active MMP‐9 levels were compared between patients with and without microbleeds. Neurological deterioration was defined as an increase in more than two points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score baseline 14 days after the onset of lacunar stroke. Results: Of the patients, 79 (38.3%) had microbleeds and 48 (23.3%) showed neurological deterioration. Free, active MMP‐9 and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly increased amongst patients with microbleeds (P < 0.001 and P = 0.047, respectively). Existence of microbleeds (RR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.25–3.83) and increased free, active MMP‐9 (RR = 1.10 per 10 ng/ml, 95% CI = 1.03–1.19) were identified as independent risk factors for neurological deterioration after adjusting for potential confounders. Discussion: Increased levels of active MMP‐9 and the existence of microbleeds might be useful in predicting the deterioration following an initial acute lacunar stroke.     

Diffuse axonal injury after traumatic cerebral microbleeds： an evaluation of imaging techniques

Previous neuropathological studies regarding traumatic brain injury have primarily focused on changes in large structures, for example, the clinical prognosis after cerebral contusion, intrace- rebral hematoma, and epidural and subdural hematoma. In fact, many smaller injuries can also lead to severe neurological disorders. For example, cerebral microbleeds result in the dysfunc- tion of adjacent neurons and the disassociation between cortex and subcortical structures. These tiny changes cannot be adequately visualized on CT or conventional MRI. In contrast, gradient echo sequence-based susceptibility-weighted imaging is very sensitive to blood metabolites and microbleeds, and can be used to evaluate traumatic cerebral microbleeds with high sensitivity and accuracy. Cerebral microbleed can be considered as an important imaging marker for dif- fuse axonal injury with potential relevance for prognosis. For this reason, based on experimental and clinical studies, this study reviews the role of imaging data showing traumatic cerebral microbleeds in the evaluation of cerebral neuronal injury and neurofunctional loss.     

磁敏感加权成像在脑出血中的应用价值

目的 探讨MRI磁敏感加权成像(SWI)在脑出血中的应用价值.方法 对12例经CT确诊的脑出血患者于发病2 d内及2周后分别进行MRI常规序列及SWI扫描,并进行血肿分期及对各序列的病灶显示率、微出血灶的分布和出血量评估.结果 在12例脑出血患者中,共发现33处出血灶.SWI、T,WI、T<,2>WI、Flair序列对...     

脑出血并脑微出血的临床与影像特征

目的 探讨脑出血并脑微出血的临床与影像特点.方法 分析16例自发性脑出血并脑微出血患者的临床资料与MRI-SWI影像表现.结果 患者平均年龄67.9岁.14例患者合并高血压病,9例为首次发病的脑出血患者,7例为再发脑出血患者.再发脑出血患者SWI检查全部发现脑微出血,其中6例(85.7％)微出血同时累及双侧半球多个脑叶及深部脑组织.首发脑出血组合再发脑出血组患者脑微出血的病灶数量均数分别为5.22±2.82和9.71±3.50,2组间微出血病灶数量存在统计学差异(P=0.013).结论 脑微出血与自发性脑出血关系密切,较多的脑微出血病灶可能预示着再发脑出血的风险增高.     

MRI findings of small subcortical “lacunar-like” infarction resulting from large vessel disease

Small subcortical infarctions resulting from large-vessel disease are often observed. It is important to distinguish these from pure lacunar infarction resulting from small-vessel disease because the investigations and examinations differ. We investigated the differences on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between small subcortical "lacunar-like" infarcts resulting from large-vessel disease and pure lacunar infarcts. Thirteen subjects with small lacunar-like infarcts (size < 2 cm), resulting from large-vessel disease, and 30 subjects with lacunar infarcts (< 2 cm), without large-vessel disease were studied. We measured infarction size using a 1.5-T MRI device and evaluated silent subcortical hyperintensity lesions using the modified Scheltens' score. Large-vessel lesion was confirmed by conventional angiography, duplex carotid scan, and magnetic resonance angiography. There was no difference in the mean age of the two groups. Cerebrovascular risk factors and atherosclerotic complications were also comparable for the two groups. Progressive stroke was more common in the lacunar-like infarction group than in the lacunar infarction group (P = 0.004). Scores for periventricular hyperintensity, white matter hyperintensity, basal ganglia hyperintensity, and total subcortical hyperintensity scores were significantly higher in the lacunar infarction group than in the lacunar-like infarction group. The difference in basal ganglia hyperintensity scores was remarkable (P = 0.001). The enlargement of the perivascular space was also significantly greater in the lacunar infarction group than in the lacunar-like infarction group. These findings seem to reflect differences in the pathogenesis of infarction between the two groups. Silent subcortical hyperintensity lesions and enlargement of perivascular space are useful for between distinguishing small lacunar-like infarct resulting from large-vessel disease and pure lacunar infarction. This may have significant implications for the management of patients with lacunar-sized infarctions. It suggests that the pathogenesis of lacunar-sized infarction is variable.     

高血压脑微出血患者磁共振成像特征

目的 比较和分析高血压患者脑微出血(cerebral microbleed,CMB)的发生率、微出血的出血点数和好发位置及其相关因素.方法 选择年龄在35～75岁的高血压患者,分为对照组、大动脉栓塞组和腔隙性脑梗死组.所有患者均行磁共振常规扫描以及磁敏感加权成像(susceptibillty-weishted imaging,SWI)扫描.结果 3组患者中均有CMB病灶阳件患者,总发牛率33.8%,腔隙性脑梗死组(52.4%)及大动脉栓塞组CMB阳性率(38.1%)显著高于对照组(8.7%,χ2=8.08,P<0.01及χ2=3.86,P<0.05).斑点状信号缺失病灶多分布于皮质一皮质下、双侧基底节区,其分布与脑实质梗死灶分布没有明显联系.结论 高血压患者可在SWI上发现CMB病灶,可考虑将SWI作为筛选CMB病灶的常规检查和评价患者出血倾向的指标之一,为患者选择合适的治疗方案.     

脑小血管病影像学标志物与自发性高血压脑出血的相关性研究进展

临床中脑小血管病患者发生自发性高血压脑出血的现象多见,且很多患者合并脑小血管病的影像学标志物,本综述对二者临床上的相关性进行总结。脑白质高信号的严重程度与自发性高血压脑出血复发的风险呈正相关,增加死亡率和不良预后;总微出血数量与血肿扩大显著相关,可预测患者的不良预后;血管周围间隙扩大或腔隙性梗死合并自发性高血压脑出血的临床研究较少,有待于进一步阐明;多个影像学特征的脑小血管病患者,其脑小血管病总体负荷评分越高,临床不良功能预后及脑出血复发风险越高。     

Dot-like Hemosiderin Spots on Gradient Echo T2*-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Are Associated With Past History of Small Vessel Disease in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lipohyalinosis is considered an important cause of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), including hypertensive intracerebral hematoma (ICH) and lacunar infarction. Dot-like low-intensity spots (dot-like hemosiderin spots [dotHSs]) on gradient-echo T2*-weighted (T2*-w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been histologically diagnosed as old microbleeds associated with microangiopathies (lipohyalinosis, amyloid angiopathy) and located in territories of perforating arteries (deep dotHSs) and subcortical regions (subcortical dotHSs). If dotHSs indicate the severity of lipohyalinosis, larger numbers of deep dotHSs may be associated with past history of SVD. METHODS: The number of dotHSs was investigated in 213 patients with deep ICH (106 men, 107 women, 37 to 94 years old, mean age = 65.8 +/- 11.2 years). Patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to past history of SVD. Odds ratio (OR) for the history was estimated from logistic regression analyses of the number of deep or subcortical dotHSs, as well as other factors. RESULTS: Of 213 patients, 36 had a past history of SVD (symptomatic deep ICH in 18, symptomatic lacunar infarction in 17, and both in 1). An increased rate of history of SVD was found for patients with subcortical dotHSs. The OR per 1 subcortical dotHS was 1.09 (95% confidence internal (CI), 1.03-1.17; P =.005), and per deep dotHS, the OR was 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00-1.13; P =.039). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that deep and subcortical dotHSs on T2*-w MRI may indicate the severity of microangiopathy and may predict recurrence of SVD in patients with deep ICH.