Distribution of intracranial and extracranial arteriostenosis in patients with stroke revealed by DSA examination

Objective To analyze distribution of intracranial and extracranial arteriostenosis in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods 306 patients with ischemic stroke were collected during January 2002 to March 2005. All patients underwent color ultrasonography of carotid, TCD, MRA and DSA. According to NASCET, arteriostenosis was grouped into five grades: normal artery, mild stenosis(29%), moderate stenosis (30%—69%), severe stenosis(70%—90%) and occlusion(100%). Results (1) As for incidence of intracranial and extracranial arteriostenosis, 149 were of intracranial stenosis, 25 extracranial stenosis and 33 both. (2) As for incidence of single or dual stenosis, among 207 with arteriostenosis, single stenosis amounted to 129 and dual to 78. (3) Stenosis occurred in middle cerebral artery, distal vertebral artery, basilar artery, extracranial part of internal carotid artery, anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, siphon part of internal carotid artery and onset part of vertebral artery in an order of decreased frequency. (4) DSA analysis revealed that, among 316 narrow blood vessels of 207 patients, 87 vessels were shown as severe stenosis or obstruction, accounting for 27.5%. (5) Among 164 cases, infarction occured in the corresponding stenostic vessel in 157 patients, accounting for 95.7%. ConclusionsIntracranial arteriostenosis is the most frequently encountered in those with ischemic stroke. Thereto, frequency of stenosis in middle cerebral artery is the highest, distal vertebral artery and basilar artery are next.