Introduction Poor leptomeningeal collateral blood flow is associated with worse clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

Aim of Study This study aims to evaluate Clinical relevance of leptomeningeal collateral blood flow on MRI in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (OMCA).

Methods 328 acute stroke patients who underwent MRI studies due to OMCA were included. A retrospective analysis of MRI findings on leptomeningeal collateral blood flow in acute stroke patients with OMCA is as follows: negative MRI without leptomeningeal collateral flow (-MRI), positive MRI with delayed contrast-enhancing vessels on contrast-enhanced T1WI (CET1WI) and/or FLAIR hyperintense vessels. The relationship of MRI findings of leptomeningeal collateral blood flow was statistically analyzed by comparing it with clinical results using the Modified Rankin Scale.

Results MRI findings of leptomeningeal collateral flow in acute stroke patients with OMCA were classified and ranked from poor to good clinical outcome as follows: -MRI (125, 38%), delayed enhanced vessels (62, 19%), FLAIR hyperintense vessels (77, 23%), and both delayed enhanced vessels and FLAIR hyperintense vessels (64, 20%), which were each statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion MR imaging of leptomeningeal collateral flow in acute stroke patients with OMCA correlates with clinical outcome. Therefore, it can be used as a prognostic MRI marker in acute stroke patient.

Disclosure of Interest no.