Feasibility of amide proton transfer weighted imaging in the diagnosis of patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis

The main purpose was to explore the feasibility of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging in diagnosing patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (SIAS). 27 patients with severe intracranial artery stenosis (≥ 70%) or occlusion diagnosed by DSA but without infarction were recruited for MRI measurement. Compared to the contralateral area, higher APT relevant MTR_asym ratio and lower cerebral-blood-flow (CBF) measured by 3D arterial-spin-labeling imaging were found in the abnormal blood supply area by the corresponding ipsilateral vessels. With these findings, APTw imaging may thus be used as an effective method providing added clinical value in diagnosing of SIAS.