Dynamics of regional distribution of ischemic lesions in middle cerebral artery trunk occlusion relates to collateral circulation

We describe the regional distribution of acute perfusion, diffusion, and final infarct lesions in middle cerebral artery (MCA) trunk occlusion. A total of 31 patients with acute ischemic stroke and MCA trunk occlusion were studied by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Probabilistic maps of lesion distribution were generated. The probability of initial and final infarcts was highest in the central MCA region with decreasing probability toward the periphery where the probability of the tissue at risk of infarction to be saved was highest. The probability of brain regions being involved in acute diffusion lesions and evolving into or escaping from the final infarct relates to the anatomy of arterial blood supply. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2011) 31, 36-40; doi:10.1038/jcbfm.2010.185; published online 13 October 2010