Hyperdense Internal Carotid Artery Sign

• DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.107.505230
• Publication Date: 2008-05-04T04:48:25Z
• Authors: Ozcan Ozdemir; Andrew Leung; Miguel Bussiére; Vladimir Hachinski; David Pelz
• Keywords: Stroke; Gold standard (test); Computed Tomography Angiography

Background and Purpose— The hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) is a well-established marker of early ischemia on noncontrast computed tomography the brain (NCCT). Recently MCA dot has been described proposed to indicate thrombosis M2 or M3 branches. purpose this study was define ICA (HICAS) determine its prevalence, diagnostic prognostic value, reliability as for ischemia. Methods— Noncontrast scans 71 patients with acute ischemic stroke were analyzed presence HICAS, HMCAS, sign. For validation HICA HMCA signs NCCT, 32 who underwent gold standard CT angiography (CTA) before thrombolytic therapy included in analysis. HICAS correlated initial neurological severity short long-term outcomes. Results— A found 24% NCCT. In mean age 63±17.4 time from symptom onset 103 minutes. Interobserver agreement excellent HICAS. high specificity (100%) positive predictive value predicting distal internal carotid thrombus CTA. Patients had more severe deficit worse prognosis than without Conclusion— reliable highly specific thromboembolic occlusion associated outcome despite therapy.