Predicting Stroke Risk in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease With Novel High Resolution, Functional and Molecular MRI Techniques
The cerebral and spinal vasculature possesses several unique properties: it is composed of relatively small vessels, it has a highly connected network architecture, and, due to the confined space around the brain, disruptions in flow (rupture, shunting, or blockage) can cause a clinical impact quickly. These features apply across various pathological conditions that alter the distribution of blood through the cerebral vasculature, such as aneurysm, intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) as well as others. Neurovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality due to stroke in the United States and encompasses a broad range of pathologies including but not limited to cerebral arteriovenous malformation, intracranial atherosclerotic disease, intracranial aneurysms and other neurovascular abnormalities. Novel modalities for assessing disease states in patients with these pathologic conditions are constantly being developed and the understanding of risk factors, disease progression, and effective therapy is rapidly evolving. Neurovascular imaging is at the forefront of this progress. The identification of new predictive biomarkers regarding the risk of rupture, progression, or recurrence will improve prognosis and treatment planning. In this study, there will be evaluation of the various types of brain lesions and different treatment options that have been used by the treating physicians and, grade outcome based on the standard of care MRI imaging. This can help the Investigators stratify the treatment routes, that are better than the other by assessing the mortality and morbidity rates. Investigators are evaluating intracranial lesions and their treatment outcomes can help analyze which standard of care treatment is better than the others at a setting like Northwestern.
• Age greater than 18 - 85 years
• All symptomatic patients referred to the Stroke Neurology, Cerebrovascular Surgery, or Interventional Neuroradiology inpatient/outpatient clinical services at Northwestern University or the University of Chicago with diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerosis.
• CTA/MRA/DSA imaging findings confirm the presence of moderate to severe stenosis \>50% of ≥ 1 segment of the supra-clinoid ICA, A1-A2 ACA, M1-M2 MCA, distal vertebral-basilar artery, P1-P2 PCA and complete cervical or intracranial carotid occlusions utilizing the SAMMPRIS stenosis criteria (3) Symptomatic patients defined as an association between the intracranial stenosis and perfusion/thromboembolic ischemia related symptoms of the corresponding vascular territory, based on either neurological exam (TIAs/stroke) and/or acute/subacute infarcts documented on MR-DWI within 7 days of presentation.