Abstract
Purpose:To evaluate the value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in differentiating cerebral hemorrhage from blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption after neuro-interventional procedures with intra-arterial injection of iodinated contrast material.Material and methods:This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained for all patients. Thirty five patients with acute ischemic stroke or un-ruptured brain aneurysm who had received intra-arterial administration of iodinated contrast material were evaluated using DECT at 80 and 150 kV immediately after the procedure.A three-material decomposition algorithm was used to obtain virtual non-contrast (VNC) images and iodine overlay maps (IOM). A follow-up examination (brain magnetic resonance imaging MRI or conventional CT) was used as the standard of reference for hemorrhage, defined as a persistant hyperdensity on a conventional CT or T2* hypo-intensity on brain MRI. The diagnostic values of DECT in differentiating hemorrhage and iodinated contrast material were obtained.Results:Mixed images obtained with DECT showed intra-parenchymal or subarachnoid hyperattenuation in 18/35 patients. Among these, 16 were classified (according to VNC images and IOM) as contrast extravasations and two with a mixture of hemorrhage and contrast material. On follow-up imaging, there were two patients with hemorrhage. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DECT in the identifying hemorrhage was calculated as 67% (2/3), 100% (32/32) and 97% (32/33) respectively.Conclusion:DECT allows an early and accurate differentiation between cerebral hemorrhage and BBB disruption after intra-arterial neuro-interventional procedures.
Highlights
Neuro-interventional procedures are currently being widely developed, for various indications
Materials and Methods Patients This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all patients
Six patients were treated for stroke by intra-arterial thrombectomy and 29 were treated for un-ruptured aneurysms by intravascular treatment
Summary
Neuro-interventional procedures are currently being widely developed, for various indications. The intra-arterial approach is the first line treatment in cases of both ruptured and un-ruptured cerebral aneurysms [1]. In case of acute ischemic stroke, thrombectomy has significant clinical advantages for patients as compared to systemic treatment alone [2], with platelet anticoagulant/antiaggregant treatment being administered in both groups of patients to avoid vascular embolism [2,3,4]. However, there is a risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) following neuro-interventional procedures, potentially mod ifying the therapeutic decisions [5]. In the first 24 to 36 hours following intra-arterial revascularization in case of acute ischemic stroke [6]. In case of intra vascular treatment of un-ruptured intracranial aneurysms, the rate of per-operative perforation varies between 0 and 1.3% [3]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have