MRI Findings and Recurrent-Stroke Prediction in Young Adults

Studies involving computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have produced conflicting evidence on whether silent brain infarcts and leukoaraiosis — typically thought to indicate small-vessel pathology — are associated with stroke outcomes. To examine the relations between silent brain infarcts, leukoaraiosis, and risk for recurrent stroke and mortality, researchers at a major university stroke center conducted an observational cohort study involving 655 people with a first ischemic stroke (age range, 15–49). A silent brain infarct was defined as a focal T2 hyperintensity ≥3 mm in size, with a corresponding T1 hypointensity, not associated with clinical signs or symptoms. Leukoaraiosis was defined as a focal T2 or fluid-attenu…