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Magnetic resonance imaging and risk factors for progression of lacunar infarct lesions in Chinese patients

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Purpose

The proportion of acute symptomatic lacunar infarction lesions that undergo cavitation and the factors influencing cavity formation are yet unclear, particularly in the Chinese population. Hence, we investigated changes in the diameter of acute lacunar infarction lesions and identified the risk factors for the progression of these lesions.

Methods

A total of 160 patients (mean age 66 years) with acute symptomatic lacunar infarction lesions underwent two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at onset (lesion diameter < 20 mm) and T2-weighted imaging/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences at follow-up (median follow-up time 389 days). Lacunar infarction lesion progression was categorized as complete cavitation (lacune), partial cavitation, white matter lesion (WML), or disappearance of the lesion. The risk factors for cavity formation were evaluated.

Results

Upon follow-up MRI, lesions had changed to lacunes in 20 (12.5%) patients, partial cavitation in 23 (14.4%), WMLs in 97 (60.6%), and had disappeared in 20 (12.5%). Lacune formation was related to hypertension (P = 0.026); cavity (lacune and partial cavitation) formation was related to diabetes (P = 0.009) and diameter change (P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Approximately a quarter of the acute symptomatic lacunar infarction lesions observed with follow-up MRI were cavitated. Hypertension was negatively associated with lacune formation; diabetes and diameter change were negatively associated with cavity formation.

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Funding

This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

    Meng Du, Hongying Bai, Jing Chen, Zhilei Zeng, Jingjing Song, Si Chen, Huijun He, Huijun Wei, Tingting Li & Xiao Xiao

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  1. Meng Du
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  2. Hongying Bai
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  3. Jing Chen
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  4. Zhilei Zeng
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  7. Huijun He
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  8. Huijun Wei
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  9. Tingting Li
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  10. Xiao Xiao
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Correspondence to Hongying Bai.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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The study was approved by the local ethics council.

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All participants in the study received informed consent.

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Du, M., Bai, H., Chen, J. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging and risk factors for progression of lacunar infarct lesions in Chinese patients. Neuroradiology 62, 161–166 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-019-02303-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-019-02303-z

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