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Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging in COVID‐19‐associated cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

Authors :
Mazzacane, Federico
Zito, Antonio
Magno, Serena
Persico, Alessandra
Mazzoleni, Valentina
Asteggiano, Carlo
Rognone, Elisa
Pichiecchio, Anna
Padovani, Alessandro
Cavallini, Anna
Morotti, Andrea
Source :
European Journal of Neurology. Feb2022, Vol. 29 Issue 2, p615-619. 5p.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Background and purpose: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a common complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to describe the prevalence of vessel wall alterations in patients with cryptogenic stroke through vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (vwMRI). Methods: All consecutive patients admitted for AIS and COVID‐19 to a single neuro‐COVID unit from 10 November to 31 December 2020 were prospectively evaluated and underwent a complete etiologic workup for AIS. In patients with cryptogenic stroke, the diagnostic workup was completed with vwMRI study. Results: After the exclusion of four patients ineligible for MRI, a total of 10 patients were included (median age = 78 years, 50% males), of whom four (40%) had a cryptogenic stroke. vwMRI showed vascular changes consistent with inflammation of intracranial artery walls in three subjects (75%). Two patients had focal and one multifocal involvement. Conclusions: vwMRI detected signs of vascular inflammation in the majority of patients with cryptogenic AIS, leading to an etiologic definition with potential therapeutical implications. Our findings are best interpreted as hypothesis‐generating, suggesting the possibility of expanding the diagnostic workup of cryptogenic stroke with vessel wall imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13515101
Volume :
29
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
European Journal of Neurology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
154666047
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.15128