A total of 718 subjects were included in the analysis (mean age 71.6 ± 8.0 years, 40% men, 61% Hispanic). Using the TCV-adjusted DE definition, 19% of the sample had at least one dolichoectatic artery. In 7% of Pexidartinib chemical structure the subjects, two or more arteries were affected. The BA was the most common dolichoectatic artery. Reproducibility for arterial diameter measurements was good to excellent (.70–.95), while for visual assessment ranged from fair to good (.49–.79). A TCV-adjusted intracranial arterial diameter ≥2 SD is proposed as a useful DE definition. The variability in the prevalence of DE depending on the methods used underscores the need to agree
on a reliable, universal definition of DE. “
“Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction is a rare subtype of stroke the etiology of which still remains undetermined in many patients. From a computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging report database, we identified and analyzed 48 patients with bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging. Vascular pathologies were noted on CT angiography (CTA)/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and the P1 segments of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) described as normal, hypoplastic, or absent. Vascular imaging revealed top of the basilar artery (BA) occlusion in 6 (12.5%), BA occlusion in 4 (8.3%), BA stenosis in 1 (2.1%), and BA hypoplasia in 3 (6.3%), PCA occlusion in 4 (8.3%), and PCA
stenosis in 4 (8.3%) patients. In 18 (37.5%) patients, one or both P1 segments of the PCA were hypoplastic or absent. Patients with hypoplastic/absent CB-839 cost P1 segments were more likely to have exclusively bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions (P < .001). An embolic source could be identified in 25 (55.6%) patients; there were no significant differences between both groups. Vascular imaging is useful to determine underlying vascular pathologies and may support the diagnosis of small vessel disease in those patients with isolated bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction, hypoplastic/absent
P1 segment of the PCA, and lack of vascular pathology. ADAMTS5 “
“Although transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for right to left shunt detection, we observed that transcranial Doppler (TCD) was more sensitive and sought an explanation. We retrospectively evaluated results of TCD and TEE in 118 patients with cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attacks. TCDs were done as per modification of a published performance protocol and interpreted by a neurologist and radiologist. TEEs were performed and interpreted by five cardiologists without standardized protocol. Statistical methodology included χ2 tests, Fisher exact tests, and ANOVA. Overall agreement between TCD and TEE was found for 76 of 118 patients. Sensitivities of TCD and TEE were 93.8% and 53.1%. Sensitivities for TCD interpreters were 61.1% and 64.1%. Sensitivities for TEE operators varied from 46.7% to 75.7%.