technetium-tc-99m-exametazime and Cerebral-Arterial-Diseases

Although stent assisted angioplasty is an effective treatment for coronary and peripheral arterial disease, its efficacy in intracranial arteriosclerotic disease has not been verified.. To assess the radiographic and clinical outcome of stent assisted angioplasty for symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis.. We attempted stent assisted angioplasty in 14 patients with symptomatic high grade stenosis (>60%) on the proximal portion of the MCA, who had experienced either recurrent transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) resistant to medical therapy or one or more stroke attacks. Patient records were analysed for angiographic characteristics, degree of stenosis, pre-procedural regimen of anti-platelet and/or anti-coagulation agents, use of devices, procedure related complications, pre-operative and post-operative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings, and clinical and radiographic outcomes.. Stent assisted angioplasty was successfully performed in 8 of 14 patients without any serious complications and unsuccessful in 2 of 14 patients due to the tortuous curve of the internal carotid artery siphon. Four patients had complications. Two patients had an arterial rupture; one patient was rescued by an additional stent and balloon tamponade, the other patient died. Complications in the other two patients included thrombotic occlusion and distal thrombosis. Residual stenosis was less than 50% in diameter in all the patients. All eight patients who underwent follow up cerebral angiography had no restenosis. Follow up SPECT showed improved perfusion in the affected MCA territory in all the tested patients with TIA and in one of three stroke patients. Using the modified Rankin Scale at follow up, four of five TIA patients and five of six stroke patients were assessed as functionally improved or having a stable clinical status.. Although the re-stenosis rate in stent assisted angioplasty seems to be better than in primary balloon angioplasty as reported previously, the complication rate is still high. Elective stenting is an alternative therapeutic method for the prevention of secondary ischaemic stroke in stroke patients with MCA stenosis, and seems to be a potentially effective but also hazardous therapeutic technique in patients with recurrent TIAs. This study indicates the need for randomised control trial data of this intervention. Additionally, long term follow up data and additional clinical experience are required to assess the durability of this procedure.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebral Arterial Diseases; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Middle Aged; Middle Cerebral Artery; Recurrence; Stents; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Treatment Outcome

We studied the pre and post-operative perfusion reserve using Diamox 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT in 7 patients with chronic occlusive cerebral arteries and then compared the results with PET. STA-MCA anastomosis was performed on 5 patients, while a carotid endarterectomy was done on 2 patients. The cerebral blood flow, the vascular response to CO2 or Diamox, the oxygen extraction fraction and transit time (CBV/CBF) were measured by PET. In the pre-operative state, the visual evaluations for hypoperfusion area at rest were agreed in 5 out of 7 patients in HMPAO SPECT and PET studies. In the remaining 2 patients, hypoperfusion areas were only detected in the PET study. The pre-operative evaluation of perfusion reserve was agreed in 2 patients. In the remaining 5 patients, 3 patients showed definite positive(++) in PET and positive(+) in HMPAO SPECT, and one patient showed positive (+) in PET and negative (-) in HMPAO SPECT. The post-operative change of hypoperfusion areas was well agreed in HMPAO SPECT and PET studies. However, the change of perfusion reserve was underestimated in HMPAO SPECT compared with PET. In the semiquantitative and quantitative analyses, the count rate ratios (affected/unaffected side) in HMPAO SPECT were apparently higher than those of CBF in PET. The postoperative change of the count rate ratios in HMPAO SPECT were smaller than those of CBF in PET. There was no significant correlation between the change in the ratio of the HMPAO SPECT after the administration of Diamox and the oxygen extraction fraction, and it was thus thought to be impossible to predict the areas with an increased oxygen extraction fraction. Thus, Diamox HMPAO SPECT may underestimate the areas of hypoperfusion or decrease in perfusion reserve when compared with PET. We should consider these limitations in the evaluation of pre and post operative cerebral hemodynamics.

Topics: Acetazolamide; Adult; Aged; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Cerebral Arterial Diseases; Cerebral Revascularization; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Oximes; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; Tomography, Emission-Computed; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Various clinical subtypes of patients presenting with sudden-onset ischemic stroke have been recognized, but classification of those types is not simple. We identified various patterns of perfusion-weighted MR imaging and MR angiographic findings in hyperacute ischemic stroke with relation to clinical outcomes.. Twelve patients with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery occlusion underwent perfusion-weighted MR imaging and MR angiography within 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Perfusion-weighted imaging was performed with a conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted sequence, and cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps were then created. CBV maps and MR angiographic findings were compared with 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT scans, short-term outcomes, and follow-up imaging findings.. The combined CBV and MR angiographic findings were classified into three patterns: arterial occlusion and decreased CBV (n = 8), arterial occlusion and increased CBV (n = 2), and no arterial occlusion and normal CBV (n = 2). These three patterns were strongly related to SPECT findings, short-term outcomes, and follow-up imaging findings. Perfusion on SPECT decreased markedly in the affected regions in all patients with the first pattern, decreased slightly in the second pattern, and was normal in the third pattern. Symptoms were not significantly changed at 24 hours after onset in any of the patients with the first pattern, but resolved completely in all patients with the latter two patterns. Follow-up imaging showed large infarctions in all patients with the first pattern. Initially, no infarction was seen in the second pattern, but watershed infarction developed later in one of these patients.. Hyperacute ischemic stroke may be differentiated into three imaging patterns with different clinical outcomes. The combined use of perfusion-weighted MR imaging and MR angiography may play a substantial role in guiding the choice of treatment of this disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Blood Volume; Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Arterial Diseases; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Contrast Media; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Enhancement; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Care Planning; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; Time Factors; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Treatment Outcome

The value of acute cerebral blood flow measurements in stroke prognosis is controversial. No previous study has determined whether acute perfusion deficits independently add to a validated clinical prognostic score. We aimed to compare the value of acute hypoperfusion deficits with a quantitative clinical score in stroke prognosis and to correlate the changes in perfusion with brain recovery.. Volumetric analysis of regional hypoperfusion was performed in 38 patients with middle cerebral infarction within 72 hours of onset by use of single photon emission computed tomography and 99mTc hexamethylpropylene amine oxime. Stroke severity was assessed by the Canadian Neurological Score and Barthel Index. Allen's prognostic score was determined acutely in all patients. Clinical outcome was evaluated in 36 of 38 patients, of whom 18 had repeat blood flow studies.. Acute hypoperfusion correlated with both the outcome Barthel Index (P < .001, r = -.61) and Canadian Neurological Score (P < .001, r = -.64). Allen's score correlated better with both the outcome Barthel Index (P < .001, r = .80) and Canadian Neurological Score (P < .001, r = .81). Acute hypoperfusion deficits, after allowing for Allen's score, independently predicted neurological but not functional outcome. Despite overall neurological improvement, mean hypoperfusion increased on the repeat blood flow studies (P < .05).. Volumetric analysis of acute regional hypoperfusion within 72 hours of onset predicts stroke outcome after 3 months, but Allen's score is a better prognostic method. Neurological recovery is not associated with chronic infarct reperfusion.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain; Cerebral Arterial Diseases; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Oximes; Prognosis; Regional Blood Flow; Regression Analysis; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; Tomography, Emission-Computed