G. Mallarini

Magnetic resonance imaging of stroke: P 048

provided to determine if an interaction existed between the presence of ischaemic episodes and specific plaque characteristics, and in particular the presence of fatty plaques as confirmed by surgery. Results: A history of symptomatic ischaemic episodes was present in 59 patients. We found a positive correlation between the presence of fatty plaques and symptoms (P , 0.01). Moreover, we observed a statistically significant correlation between irregular morphology and symptoms (P , 0.01) and the presence of ulceration and symptoms. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the presence of fatty plaque is a significant risk factor for ischaemic episodes. This type of plaque identifies as an ‘unstable’ plaque. P 048 Magnetic resonance imaging of stroke L. Saba*, R. Sanfilippo*, R. Montisci*, L. Pascalisy, G. Mallarini* *Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato;yOspedale San Giovanni di Dio, Cagliari, Italy Background and objective: Strokes are a major cause of death and permanent disability. Stroke accounted for about one of every 15 deaths in the Western world in 2003. This condition occur when blood flow to a region of the brain is obstructed and may result in death of brain tissue. Stroke may result from localized cerebral ischaemia, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage of venous sinus thrombosis. The objectives of this work were: (1) to review and describe the magnetic resonance brain imaging characteristics of patients with Stroke; (2) to become familiar with the changing role of MRI in acute stroke triage; (3) to evaluate and discuss the new MR techniques for the study of stroke as dynamic perfusion, diffusion-weighted (DW) and MR angiography; and (4) to understand the various functional imaging modalities that can be applied in acute ischaemic stroke to identify functionally impaired, but morphologically preserved tissue (i.e. the penumbrae) and to distinguish it from irreversibly damaged tissue. Methods and materials: Images we presented were acquired by using a with a 1.5-T superconducting magnet (Philips Intera). Patients head movements were restricted We used SE and TSE sequences, T1, T2 weighted with FLAIR sequences. Each exam was completed with of Gadolinium. Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance demonstrates good sensitivity, specificity in identification of the extension of lesions in patients with Stroke. Diffusion-weighted images show optimal sensitivity and should be used as the modality of choice in stroke imaging; moreover this MR technique shows the infracted core in nearly every ischaemic stroke patients.

Brain computed tomography characteristics in patients with vascular dementia: P 057

parameters to be used and which techniques can be employed including the visualization difference between maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved planar reformation (CPR) and volume rendering (VR) for the study of ‘near occlusion’ carotid artery. To understand and review the relationship between near-occlusion condition and stroke. Content organization: (1) Normal anatomy of carotid artery and atherosclerotic carotid artery. (2) Physiopathology and implications of ‘near occlusion’. (3) To review the CTA technical parameters to be used and which techniques can be employed including the visualization difference between maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved planar reformation (CPR) and volume rendering (VR) for the study of ‘near occlusion’ carotid artery. Summary: Near-occlusion stenosis indicates a severe carotid bulb stenosis with subsequent subtle decrease in size of the distal ICA lumen. Detection and precise interpretation of nearocclusion are important to plan a proper diagnosis and treatment. The use of post processing tool is helpful in the confirmation of ‘near occlusion’ and in particular the CPR post-processing.

Presence of carotid artery ulcers increases symptomaticity: P 058

parameters to be used and which techniques can be employed including the visualization difference between maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved planar reformation (CPR) and volume rendering (VR) for the study of ‘near occlusion’ carotid artery. To understand and review the relationship between near-occlusion condition and stroke. Content organization: (1) Normal anatomy of carotid artery and atherosclerotic carotid artery. (2) Physiopathology and implications of ‘near occlusion’. (3) To review the CTA technical parameters to be used and which techniques can be employed including the visualization difference between maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved planar reformation (CPR) and volume rendering (VR) for the study of ‘near occlusion’ carotid artery. Summary: Near-occlusion stenosis indicates a severe carotid bulb stenosis with subsequent subtle decrease in size of the distal ICA lumen. Detection and precise interpretation of nearocclusion are important to plan a proper diagnosis and treatment. The use of post processing tool is helpful in the confirmation of ‘near occlusion’ and in particular the CPR post-processing.

Hypertension and dementia: a correlative study by using magnetic resonance

P 050 Hypertension and dementia: a correlative study by using magnetic resonance L. Saba, R. Sanfilippo, R. Montisci, G. Mallarini Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy Background and objective: Vascular Dementia is a degenerative cerebrovascular disease that leads to a progressive decline in memory and cognitive functioning. This condition occurs when the blood supply carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or diseased vascular system. The purpose of this work was to evaluate whether the presence of diabetes is associated with vascular dementia. Methods and materials: We retrospectively studies 74 patients (35 with and 39 without hypertension) (range age 54–82; average 67 yr). Each patient was studied with a 1.5-T superconducting magnet (Philips Intera). We used SE and TSE sequences, T1, T2 weighted with FLAIR sequences. Each exam was completed with of Gadolinium. Then we performed a statistical study to evaluate if the presence of diabetes is associated with vascular dementia. Results: We observed a total of 39 patients with dementia and 39 without. There was a significant statistical association between the presence of hypertensio and vascular dementia identified by using magnetic resonance (P 5 0.0096). Conclusion: Results of our study indicate that the presence of hypertension is associated with presence of vascular dementia. Magnetic resonance imaging helps to precisely identify the white matter lesions by characterizing the extension of the disease.

Vascular dementia: an analysis of magnetic resonance potentialities

Leucoaraiosis and hypertension: are they correlated? A study by using MR L. Saba*, L. Pascalisy, G. Mallarini* *Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato; yOspedale San Giovanni di Dio, Cagliari, Italy Background and objective: Cerebral white matter changes, appearing as hypoattenuated areas in CT scans and as hyperintense areas in T2-weighted MR images, are common in elderly subjects and have been termed leucoaraiosis (LA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if there is a correlation between the presence of leucoaraiosis (identified with MR) and hypertension. Methods and materials: We retrospectively analysed brain MR of 81 patients with age .60 yr (45 males and 36 females; age range 61–86 yr). All of the examinations were performed on a 1.5T system (Intera, Philips Medical System) equipped with an head coil. After scouts, the examination protocol included axial 3D T1weighted turbo gradient-echo images and axial T2-weighted images, which were obtained with a FLAIR sequence. We evaluated the FLAIR images of the 51 patients to rate LA extent by using the visual scale proposed by Fazekas. The we compared, by using statistical assessment, hypertension data with results about LA Results: We observed 26 patients with LA (average Fazekas Value Scale 2.7; SD 1.1) and 31 patients with hypertension. We observed that hypertension and LA are statistically associated (P 5 0.0013; odds ratio 4.39). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that hypertension and leucoaraiosis are statistically correlated.