Cancer-related cryptogenic stroke involving the bilateral anterior and the posterior circulations: Diagnostic value of clinical and imaging characteristics

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with cancer-related cryptogenic stroke (CCS) involving the bilateral anterior and the posterior circulations (three circulations) and evaluate the diagnostic value of clinical and imaging features for patients with cryptogenic stroke involving three circulations (CST). METHODS: Of the 12,580 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 148 patients with CST from May 2017 to November 2021 were divided into the cancer group (n = 81) and the non-cancer group (n = 67). Cardiovascular risk factors, diffusion-weighted imaging patterns of cryptogenic stroke, blood routine, coagulation routine, and biochemical routine were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to determine associations between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the non-cancer group, the cancer group exhibited higher D-dimer levels (P < 0.001), fibrin degradation product (FDP, P < 0.001), international normalized ratio (INR, P = 0.014), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, P < 0.001), platelets to lymphocyte ratio (PLR, P = 0.001), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT, P = 0.039), more frequent multiple lesions in three circulations (P < 0.001) and lower lymphocytes (P < 0.001), red blood cells (P < 0.001), and thrombin time (TT, P = 0.034). Furthermore, D-dimer [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.915, P < 0.001)], FDP (AUC = 0.923, P < 0.001), INR (AUC = 0.617, P = 0.014), NLR (AUC = 0.700, P < 0.001), PLR (AUC = 0.658, P = 0.001), and multiple lesions in three circulations (AUC = 0.786, P < 0.001) had potential diagnostic value in cryptogenic stroke. When combining these 6 parameters, the predictive power was improved (AUC = 0.949, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cryptogenic stroke involving three circulations with cancer has unique clinical features, and these potential diagnostic indicators could help patients identify CCS earlier.