Hyperintense Vessels on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlate with Arteries in the Delayed Phase of Multiphase Computed Tomography Angiography

Abstract

Collateral circulation plays an important role in protecting brain tissue from ischemic damage in acute cerebral artery occlusion, and various imaging modalities are used to evaluate collateral circulation. Angiographic imaging techniques, such as digital subtraction angiography and multiphase computed tomography (CT) angiography, directly show cerebral collateral circulation. Meanwhile, hyperintense vessels on f luid-attenuated inversion recovery and T1-weighted black-blood fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are known to indirectly reflect collateral circulation in cases of cerebral artery occlusion. Herein, we compare hyperintense vessels on MRI with collateral circulation on multiphase CT angiography in a patient with acute ischemic stroke with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.