Impact of Stent-Assisted Recanalization of Carotid Artery Stenosis on Brain Volume Changes

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of recanalization on stenotic internal carotid artery on brain volume changes in stent applied patients. Materials and Methods: Carotid stenting was performed in 17 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis between June 2013 and April 2014. High resolution 3D T1 weight images were obtained from each patient 24 hours before and 7.2 ± 3.6 months (mean ± standard deviation) after the procedure on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Intracranial total cortical grey matter, total cortical white matter, white matter hypointensity, total intraventricular and subcortical grey matter volumes were assessed by FreeSurfer version 4.5.0. Results: A significant reduction was found in total cortical white matter and subcortical grey matter volumes (p<0.05). A significant increase was found in white matter hypointensity and total intraventricular volumes after procedure (p<0.05). However, no statistical significant difference was found in total cortical grey matter volume before and after procedure (p=0.902). Conclusion: The significant reduction in the postoperative intracranial total cortical white matter and subcortical grey matter volumes and the significant increase in the white matter hypointensity volume were considered to be secondary to neuronal damage. J Clin Exp Invest 2016; 7(4): 283-289