Abstract
Purpose
Prior studies have used the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence signal intensity ratio (FLAIR-SIR) to predict those with an incomplete infarct that may safely receive acute thrombolytics. Clinical early neurologic deterioration (END) of small subcortical infarcts (SSIs) is suspected to occur due to delayed infarct completion. We aimed to understand if a lower FLAIR-SIR, suggestive of an incomplete infarct, would have a higher likelihood of SSI-related END.
Methods
A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed of those with an acute SSI (anterior or posterior circulation) without significant parent vessel steno-occlusive disease. END was defined as a new or worsened disabling neurologic deficit during the index hospitalization. Standard-of-care brain MRIs were reviewed from the hospitalization, and a FLAIR-SIR cutoff of ≤ 1.15 was used based on prior studies. Adjusted logistic regression models were used for analysis.
Results
We identified 252 patients meeting inclusion criteria: median (IQR) age 68 (12) years, 38.5% (97/252) female, and 11% (28/252) with END. Tobacco use was more common in those without END (32%) compared with END (55%, p = 0.03). In adjusted analyses, a FLAIR-SIR cutoff of ≤ 1.15 yielded an odds ratio of 2.8 (95% CI 1.23–6.13, p = 0.012) of early neurological deterioration.
Conclusion
Those with a FLAIR-SIR ≤ 1.15 are nearly threefold more likely to develop SSI-related END.
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Data availability
Anonymized data not published within this article will be made available by request from a qualified investigator.
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Goldstein, E.D., Fayad, F.H., Shah, A. et al. FLAIR signal intensity ratio predicts small subcortical infarct early neurologic deterioration: a cross-sectional study. Neuroradiology 66, 343–347 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-024-03295-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-024-03295-1