Are there any novel radiological diagnostic clues in magnetic resonance imaging for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery

Umut Kaygusuz⁵  Alper Aydin¹  Safiye Tokgoz Ozal⁴  Suzan Tunc²  Esra Karabay Ogutcu³  Hasibe Gokce Cinar⁶  Emin Cakmakci⁶ 

[1] Department of Radiology, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. Ilhan Ozdemir Government Hospital, Giresun, Turkey;Department of Radiology, Malatya Government Hospital, Malatya, Turkey;Department of Radiology, Iskenderun Government Hospital, Iskenderun, Turkey;Department of Radiology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey;;Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children’s Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyDepartment of Radiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children’s Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey;

关键词: Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI);    diagnosis;    magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);    radiology;   

DOI  :  10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2015.09.02

学科分类：外科医学

来源: AME Publications

【 摘 要 】

Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether signal intensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views and radiological findings on Doppler ultrasonography may have a diagnostic value for vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).

Methods: This case-control study was performed on demographic and radiologic data derived from 18 VBI patients and 58 healthy controls in the radiology department of a tertiary care center. The blood flow characteristics including peak systolic and end diastolic flow rates, resistance and pulsatility indices, mean velocities, flow rates, diameters and intensity pattern of vertebral arteries on cervical and cranial MRI sequences were noted. The association between blood flow characteristics and signal patterns on MRI views was investigated in VBI patients and controls.

Results: Blood flow and vessel diameter were significantly decreased in VBI patients compared to controls on both sides (P<0.001). In contrast, other parameters did not exhibit any remarkable difference between VBI and control groups. The distribution of hypo- or hyperintense signals in VBI and control groups was similar. No remarkable variabilities were detected in blood flow characteristics of cases presenting with signals having different intensities on MRI sequences.

Conclusions: In conclusion, results of the current study have demonstrated that assessment of blood flow and vascular diameter may be important for ruling in VBI. Nevertheless, the intensity of signals derived from vessels seems not reveal any data of diagnostic significance in these cases. Further studies on larger populations may allow development and exploration of newer diagnostic techniques and clues for VBI.

【 授权许可】

Unknown