Appropriateness of pediatric CT utilization in clinical practice

Background: Cerebral collateral circulation is necessary to maintain cerebral blood flow and penumbra when arterial insufficiency occurred. Only a few studies about collateral status on development of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (mMCAi) have been documented. Objective: To determine whether collateral status evaluated by single phase computed tomographic angiography (CTA) help prediction of mMCAi in patients with large arterial occlusion whom not received endovascular treatment. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute ischemic stroke in anterior circulation in our institute during January 2015 to December 2015. We analyzed clinical data, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) on baseline nonenhanced computed tomography of the brain (NECT brain), and CTA collateral status. Malignant MCA infarction was defined according to clinical criteria. Results: Thirty-five patients were included. Mean age was 68.8±15.56 years. Mean baseline NIHSS and baseline ASPECTS were 17(±5) and 6(±3), respectively. All patients received intravenous thrombolysis. CTA collateral status and baseline NECT ASPECTS significantly correlated with development of mMCAi (P-value = 0.007 and 0.001). Only baseline NECT ASPECTS was an independent predictive factor for mMCAi (OR 0.63, 95%CI 0.46-0.86, P-value =0.004). Patients with baseline NECT ASPECTS ≤ 7 were more likely develop mMCAi (OR 14.29 95%CI 1.57-129.94, P-value 0.018). Conclusion: In acute stroke patients with proximal MCA or ICA occlusion received intravenous thrombolysis alone, baseline NECT ASPECTS and CTA collateral status were significantly correlate with development of mMCAi. However, only baseline ASPECTS ≤ 7 was an independent predictor for mMCAi.