Correlation of neurological dysfunction with MRI brain findings and carotid doppler study in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: Stroke is defined as an abrupt onset of neurologic deficit due to vascular cause. It is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity all over the world. Lesions of extra cranial carotid arteries are implicated in majority of cases of acute ischemic stroke. Carotid Doppler is a non-invasive imaging technique, with sensitivity approaching that of angiography.

Aims and Objectives: To find out correlation of carotid artery Doppler findings with MRI brain findings in clinically suspected acute ischemic stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based prospective cross sectional study of sample size 100 subjects. The study population include patients referred to the Department of Radio-Diagnosis with clinically suspected stroke for color Doppler study of bilateral carotid artery within 7 days of onset of symptoms, underwent bilateral carotid artery color Doppler study, subsequently MRI brain scans were performed on 1.5T MRI machine. Study includes patients in duration of October 2018 to July 2020.

Results: Carotid stenosis is one of the common causes of ischemic stroke. Carotid Doppler findings are positive in 56.9% cases detected on MRI in MCA territory & right side was affected more than the left side. The prevalence of carotid stenosis increases with increase in age. Carotid stenosis is more commonly seen in male gender. Carotid artery stenosis is associated with risk factors like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking & hyperlipidemia.

Conclusion: The present analysis showed that mean age was 55.97 years; mean NIHSS score was 8.36 and stroke (infarct) was more common in males in the age group of 60-69 years. Most common risk factor associated with stroke (infarct) was hypertension followed by tobacco chewing and diabetes. Sensitivity of predicting stroke by carotid Doppler is 56.9%.