Significance of susceptibility-weighted angiography for endovascular thrombectomy of acute ischemic stroke
Ohnishi, H.; Matsumoto, A.; Shimizu, A.; Nakao, Y.; Okuda, Y.; Manno, T.; Taniguchi, H.; Yagi, T.; Kuroiwa, T.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery 42(2): 115-121
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2603 PMID: 24501184 Document Number: 673042
Efficacy of intravenous systemic thrombolysis is limited in patients with large-vessel occlusion and for whom more than 4.5 hours have passed since onset. As such, mechanical thrombectomy has been the mainstay therapy for these patients. Localization of the intra-arterial clot prior to thrombectomy can be beneficial in cases of acute ischemic stroke. Here, we present 3 cases of acute ischemic stroke that were initially imaged with susceptibility-weighted angiography(SWAN)before endovascular thrombectomy(middle cerebral artery occlusion, internal carotid artery occlusion, basilar artery occlusion)was attempted. In all 3 cases, clot localization by SWAN was consistent with that by angiography, and recanalization was successful. Identifying clot location and composition may help determine the optimal treatment and predict successful recanalization.