open access

Vol 51, No 5 (2017)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2017-04-22
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How to avoid false positive hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign detection in ischemic stroke

Robert Chrzan1, Agnieszka Gleń1, Andrzej Urbanik1
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2017.07.009
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2017;51(5):395-402.
Affiliations
  1. Radiology Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 19, Kraków, Poland

open access

Vol 51, No 5 (2017)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2017-04-22

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to find how to differentiate hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) in stroke patients from asymmetric hyperdensity not related to stroke, by comparison of the CT density values typical for HMCAS to the values in normal or atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods

The group analyzed consisted of 100 patients with ischemic stroke, presenting HMCAS on the admission CT. Density measurements in HU were performed in the hyperdense segment of the involved MCA, contralateral MCA, brain cortex adjacent to the hyperdense MCA. The control group consisted of 100 patients with no symptoms of cerebral stroke. Density measurements in HU were performed: in the M1 segment of right and left MCA, brain cortex adjacent to the more dense from right or left MCA.

Results

In the stroke group the median values obtained were: in the hyperdense MCA 59 HU, contralateral MCA 41 HU, brain cortex 36 HU. In the control group the median values obtained were: in the more dense MCA 43 HU, contralateral MCA 40 HU, brain cortex 34 HU. The range of HMCAS/contralateral MCA density ratios in stroke only slightly overlapped the range of more dense MCA/contralateral MCA density ratios in non-stroke patients.

Conclusion

The ratio of hyperdense MCA CT density/contralateral density is a good tool to differentiate HMCAS from asymmetric hyperdensity not related to stroke. The threshold ≥1.16 provided 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity, whereas ≥1.22 provided 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to find how to differentiate hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) in stroke patients from asymmetric hyperdensity not related to stroke, by comparison of the CT density values typical for HMCAS to the values in normal or atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods

The group analyzed consisted of 100 patients with ischemic stroke, presenting HMCAS on the admission CT. Density measurements in HU were performed in the hyperdense segment of the involved MCA, contralateral MCA, brain cortex adjacent to the hyperdense MCA. The control group consisted of 100 patients with no symptoms of cerebral stroke. Density measurements in HU were performed: in the M1 segment of right and left MCA, brain cortex adjacent to the more dense from right or left MCA.

Results

In the stroke group the median values obtained were: in the hyperdense MCA 59 HU, contralateral MCA 41 HU, brain cortex 36 HU. In the control group the median values obtained were: in the more dense MCA 43 HU, contralateral MCA 40 HU, brain cortex 34 HU. The range of HMCAS/contralateral MCA density ratios in stroke only slightly overlapped the range of more dense MCA/contralateral MCA density ratios in non-stroke patients.

Conclusion

The ratio of hyperdense MCA CT density/contralateral density is a good tool to differentiate HMCAS from asymmetric hyperdensity not related to stroke. The threshold ≥1.16 provided 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity, whereas ≥1.22 provided 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Get Citation

Keywords

Cerebral ischemic stroke, Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign, Atherosclerosis, Computed tomography

About this article
Title

How to avoid false positive hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign detection in ischemic stroke

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 51, No 5 (2017)

Pages

395-402

Page views

564

Article views/downloads

787

DOI

10.1016/j.pjnns.2017.07.009

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2017;51(5):395-402.

Keywords

Cerebral ischemic stroke
Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign
Atherosclerosis
Computed tomography

Authors

Robert Chrzan
Agnieszka Gleń
Andrzej Urbanik

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