Changes of time-attenuation curve blood flow parameters in patients with and without carotid stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: From the time-attenuation curves of DSA flow parameters, maximal intensity, maximal slope, and full width at half maximum of selected vascular points are defined. The study explores the reliability of defining the flow parameters by the time-attenuation curves of DSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis (group A) and 56 healthy controls (group B) were retrospectively enrolled. Fixed contrast injection protocols and DSA acquisition parameters were used with all patients. The M1, sigmoid sinus, and internal jugular vein on anteroposterior view DSA and the M2, parietal vein, and superior sagittal sinus on lateral view DSA were chosen as ROI targets for measuring flow parameters. The difference of time of maximal intensity between 2 target points was defined as the circulation time between the target points. RESULTS: The maximal intensity difference of 2 selected points from the ICA to the M1, sigmoid sinus, internal jugular vein, M2, parietal vein, and superior sagittal sinus was significantly longer in group A than in group B. The maximum slope of M1, M2, and the superior sagittal sinus was significantly lower in group A than in group B. The full width at half maximum of M1 and M2 was significantly larger in group A than in group B. The maximal slope of M1 demonstrated the best diagnostic performance. CONCLUSIONS: The maximal intensity difference of 2 selected points derived from DSA can be used as a definitive alternative flow parameter for intracranial circulation time measurement. Maximal slope and full width at half maximum complement the maximal intensity difference of 2 selected points in defining flow characteristics of healthy subjects and patients with carotid stenosis.