Clinical application of susceptibility-weighted imaging in the evaluation of leptomeningeal collateralization

The feasibility of using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in a clinical setting was assessed for quantifying leptomeningeal collateralization. Eighteen patients with stroke and acute infarction underwent diffusion-weighted imaging, SWI, perfusion-weighted imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography within 3 days after symptom onset. Lesions were evaluated by the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS), based on mean transit time, SWI, and cerebral blood volume (CBV). For evaluating ischemic penumbra and leptomeningeal collateralization, the SWI-ASPECTS significantly correlated, respectively, with mean transit time and CBV-ASPECTS (Spearman test, r = 0.793 and 0.682; P < .001, both). The SWI may be useful to quantify leptomeningeal collateralization in patients with acute cerebral infarction.