J Stroke.  2015 Jan;17(1):60-66. 10.5853/jos.2015.17.1.60.

White Matter Hyperintensity in Ischemic Stroke Patients: It May Regress Over Time

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea. ahyun@catholic.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are frequently observed on MRI in ischemic stroke patients as well as in normal elderly individuals. Besides the progression of WMH, the regression of WMH has been rarely reported. Thus, we aimed to investigate how WMH change over time in patients with ischemic stroke, particularly focusing on regression.
METHODS
We enrolled ischemic stroke patients who underwent brain MRI more than twice with at least a 6 month time-interval. Based on T2-weighted or FLAIR MRI, WMH were visually assessed, followed by semiautomatic volume measurement. Progression or regression of WMH change was defined when 0.25 cc increase or decrease was observed and it was also combined with visible change. A statistical analysis was performed on the pattern of WMH change over time and factors associated with change.
RESULTS
A total of 100 patients were enrolled. Their age (mean+/-SD) was 67.5+/-11.8 years and 63 were male. The imaging time-interval (mean) was 28.0 months. WMH progressed in 27, regressed in 9 and progressed in distinctive regions and regressed in others in 5 patients. A multiple logistic regression model showed that age (odds ratio[OR] 2.51, 90% confidence interval[CI] 1.056-5.958), male gender (OR 2.957, 95% CI 1.051-9.037), large vessel disease (OR 1.955, 95% CI 1.171-3.366), and renal dysfunction (OR 2.900, 90% CI 1.045-8.046) were associated with progression. Regarding regression, no significant factor was found in the multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
In 21.5% of ischemic stroke patients, regression of WMH was observed. WMH progression was observed in a third of ischemic stroke patients.

Keyword

Ischemic stroke; White matter hyperintensity; Leukoaraiosis; MRI, progression; Regression

MeSH Terms

Aged
Brain
Humans
Leukoaraiosis
Logistic Models
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Stroke*
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