Letter-to-the Editor: Focal cerebral arteriopathy and acute ischaemic stroke in children: A diagnostic-therapeutical conundrum

Eur J Radiol. 2021 Sep:142:109846. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109846. Epub 2021 Jul 5.

Abstract

Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) in children is generally considered an up-to-date and controversial topic because its presents significant peculiarities. Focal cerebral arteriopathies (FCA) are a possible cause of AIS in children characterized by an unilateral lesion of the terminal internal cerebral artery (ICA) and proximal segment (M1) of middle cerebral artery (MCA), leading to subocclusion, occasionally with a typical "striate" pattern and a tendency to stability or regression at follow-up. It is unclear whether in FCA the basic lesion is an inflammatory or a dissective arterial pathology. Herein we report a small series of children (<16 yo) with AIS from a FCA who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We speculate on the angiographic findings suggesting an aetiology of the lesion, and on indications and limits of the currently available treatments.

Keywords: Cerebral artery dissection; Digital subtraction angiography; Focal cerebral arteriopathy; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Arterial Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Arterial Diseases* / therapy
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke*
  • Middle Cerebral Artery
  • Stroke* / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke* / therapy
  • Thrombectomy
  • Treatment Outcome