Relationship between leukoaraiosis and cerebral large artery stenosis

Abstract Objectives: We carried out this cross-sectional study to explore the association between cerebral large artery lesions and leukoaraiosis in Chinese patients with stroke. The relationship between leukoaraiosis and risk factors of cerebral vascular disease was also investigated. Methods: Data were prospectively collected from patients with ischemic stroke within 7 days of symptom onset. All patients underwent three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and contrast-enhanced MRA for evaluating intracranial and extracranial stenosis. Leukoaraiosis grading was performed according to age-related white matter changes rating scale. Results: One hundred and eighty-five patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. Of these, 121 patients (65.4%) had significant stenosis or occlusion. The frequency of distinct leukoaraiosis between the mild or no stenosis group and the significant stenosis or occlusion group was not significantly different (odd ratios: 0.97; 95% confidence int...