The Subpetrous Carotid Wall Hematoma: A Sign of Spontaneous Dissection of the Internal Carotid Artery on Non-Enhanced Computed Tomography – A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery (CAD) is an increasingly recognized cause for stroke especially in young and middle-aged patients. We hypothesized that non-enhanced cranial computed tomography (NECCT) can visualize the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma and thus enable identification of patients with CAD.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with confirmed CAD (n = 21) and a control group with ischemic symptoms but without CAD (n = 42) who received NECCT at admission. Two independent neuroradiologists rated the presence and shape of SPH, density and diameter of the subpetrous internal carotid artery. Additionally, we correlated the shape of the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma with the grade of stenosis on subsequent angiographic imaging.

Results: The subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was present in 14 of 21 patients (Cohen’s κ = 0.67). Mean diameter was 6.95 ± 1.05 mm in dissected vessels and 5.71 ± 1.52 mm in the contralateral vessel (p < 0.05). Mean difference in vessel density was 15.05 ± 8.01 HU (p < 0.01). Median grade of stenosis was significantly higher in patients with a full moon- shaped (n = 11) than crescent-shaped (n = 3) subpetrous carotid wall hematoma (21 % vs. 80 %, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Two-thirds of patients with CAD were correctly identified on NECCT. The extracranial carotid artery should be evaluated in patients with symptoms of cerebral ischemia.

Key points

• We retrospectively reviewed patients with carotid artery dissection (n = 21) and a control group (n = 42).

• The subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was present in two-thirds of patients with CAD but only in two control patients.

• The subpetrous carotid wall hematoma is a valuable sign to identify patients with CAD.

Citation Format:

• Jensen-Kondering U, Huhndorf M, Madjidyar J et al. The Subpetrous Carotid Wall Hematoma: A Sign of Spontaneous Dissection of the Internal Carotid Artery on Non-Enhanced Computed Tomography – A Retrospective Study. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2015; 187: 168 – 172

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Spontane Dissektionen der A. carotis interna (DACI) sind eine zunehmend diagnostizierte Ursache für Schlaganfälle insbesondere bei jungen und mittelalten Patienten. Ziel der Arbeit war es, zu prüfen, ob die native kranielle Computertomografie (NCCT) das subpetröse Karotiswandhämatom darstellen kann und somit die Identifizierung von Patienten mit DACI ermöglicht.

Material und Methoden: Wir identifizierten retrospektiv Patienten mit DACI (n = 21) sowie eine Kontrollgruppe (n = 42) von Patienten mit Symptomen einer zerebralen Ischämie, die alle ein NCCT bei Aufnahme erhielten. Zwei Neuroradiologen beurteilten unabhängig voneinander die Anwesenheit und Form des subpetrösen Karotiswandhämatom sowie den Durchmesser und Dichte der subpetrösen A. carotis interna. Zusätzlich wurde der Stenosegrad unterhalb der Schädelbasis mit der Form des subpetrösen Karotiswandhämatoms korreliert.

Ergebnisse: Ein subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom konnte bei 14 von 21 Patienten (Cohens κ = 0,67) identifiziert werden. Der mittlere Durchmesser der A. carotis interna betrug 6,95 ± 1,05 mm im disseziierten Gefäß und 5,71 ± 1,52 mm im nicht betroffenen kontralateralen Gefäß (p < 0,05). Der mittlere Dichteunterschied zwischen disseziierten und nicht disseziierten Gefäß betrug 15,05 ± 8,01 HU (p < 0,01). Der mittlere Stenosegrad war signifikant höher (21 % vs. 80 %, p < 0,05) bei Patienten mit einem Karotiswandhämatom in Vollmondform (n = 11) als in Mondsichelform (n = 3).

Schlussfolgerung: Zwei Drittel der Patienten konnten mit dem NCCT korrekt identifiziert werden. Die extrakranielle ACI sollte bei Patienten mit Symptomen einer zerebralen Ischämie mitbeurteilt werden.

Kernaussagen:

• Wir analysierten Patienten mit einer Dissektion (n = 21) der A. carotis interna (DACI) und eine Kontrollgruppe (n = 42).

• Die Anwesenheit und Form des subpetrösen Karotiswandhämatoms wurden bewertet.

• Ein subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom war bei zwei Dritteln der Patienten mit DACI vorhanden.

• Das subpetröse Karotiswandhämatom ist ein wertvolles Zeichen zur Identifizierung von Patienten mit DACI.

Key words

carotid arteries - CT - dissection - ischemia/infarction

Introduction

Spontaneous dissection of the cervical brain-supplying artery is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged patients and accounts for up to 25 % of strokes in that age group [1]. As imaging techniques mature and cross-sectional imaging is widely available, it is increasingly recognized and more easily diagnosed. The typical clinical presentation of dissection of the internal carotid artery (CAD) is the combination of lateral neck pain with ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome associated with ischemic symptoms. Only one-fourth of patients present with neck pain. Complete or partial Horner’s syndrome is present in less than half of patients. However, ischemia occurs in up to 90 % of patients [2]. Definite diagnosis is thus crucial for specific therapy and requires direct visualization of the mural hematoma with cross-sectional imaging techniques [4] [5] or indirect visualization as flame-shaped tapering of the carotid artery with angiographic techniques, such as digital subtraction angiography (DSA) [3], computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). On T1w images the mural hematoma containing methemoglobin appears hyperintense in the subacute stage from day three onward [6]. Nowadays, MRI is surpassing other imaging techniques for its increasing resolution and sensitivity for very small mural hematomas.

It was recently demonstrated that most patients with CAD can be diagnosed on routine MRI without dedicated vessel imaging [7]. Non-enhanced cranial computed tomography (NECCT) can reliably identify hemorrhage, thrombi [8] and early ischemic signs [9]. NECCT remains the first-line imaging tool in many specialized stroke centers and is widely available even in non-specialized institutions. As the mural hematoma extends to the skull base in most cases, we speculated that CAD can be diagnosed on NECCT in most patients by visualization of a subpetrous carotid wall hematoma since the uppermost part of the internal carotid artery directly in front of its entry into the carotid canal is included on the lowermost slices on most NECCT scans.

Materials and Methods

Patients and Imaging

The study was approved by the local ethics committee and patients consented to analysis of the data. We retrospectively included consecutive patients within a five-year period (2008 – 2013) with a confirmed spontaneous CAD with a mural hematoma reaching the skull base who underwent NECCT at admission. CAD was considered confirmed if one or both of the following was present 1) mural hematoma demonstrated on CTA or T1w imaging 2) flame-shaped tapering without other explanation on any angiographic imaging technique (CTA, MRA, DSA). The scanning parameters using a multidetector row CT scanner with 64 detector rows (“Brilliance 64”, Philips, Best, The Netherlands) were as follows: collimation 16 × 0.625 mm, tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 320 mAs, 2.5 mm reconstructed slice thickness. Demographics and clinical information were extracted from the patients’ charts.

Image analysis

Two independent neuroradiologists blinded to the presence of CAD and lesion side rated the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma as either absent or present. Disagreement was resolved in a panel session. We could identify two types of subpetrous carotid wall hematoma: the classic crescent or half moon-shaped hematoma ([Fig. 1]) and a full moon-shaped hematoma ([Fig. 2], [3]). A full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was defined as the presence of an enlarged and hyperdense internal carotid artery compared to the contralateral side. The crescent-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was defined as a hyperdense crescent or half moon adjacent to or encompassing the arterial lumen. The full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was defined as the presence of an enlarged and hyperdense internal carotid artery compared to the contralateral side. The shape of the hematoma was determined in consensus in a subsequent session. As a secondary analysis, the diameter of the internal carotid artery and the density of the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma were measured in consensus by the two observers. Additionally, the correlation between the density of the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma and presumed age of the hematoma was calculated as it is known that hematoma density decreases with time.

Fig. 1 Right-sided crescent-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma a. Coronal T1w fat-saturated image demonstrates a mural hematoma b. No relevant stenosis is visible on contrast-enhanced MRA c.

Abb. 1 Rechtsseitiges mondsichelförmiges subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom a. Die koronare fettgesättigte T1w-Schicht zeigt das Wandhämatom b. In der MRA ist keine relevante Stenose sichtbar c.

Fig. 2 Left-sided full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma a. Reconstructed CTA b demonstrates tapered lumen of the ICA (arrows).

Abb. 2 Linksseitiges vollmondförmiges subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom a. Die rekonstruierte CTA b zeigt das sich verjüngende Lumen der A. carotis interna (Pfeile).

Fig. 3 Left-sided full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma a. DSA b with injection into the left proximal ICA demonstrates tapered lumen (arrows).

Abb. 3 Linksseitiges vollmondförmiges subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom a. Die DSA b mit Injektion in die linke proximale A. carotis interna zeigt das sich verjüngende Lumen (Pfeile).

A third rater blinded to the shape of the hematoma took a measurement of the resulting stenosis just below the skull base. If more than one angiographic technique was performed, DSA was preferred to CTA and CTA to MRA. The grade of stenosis (in %) was calculated according to the NASCET criteria by subtraction of the minimal luminal diameter at the skull base from the normal appearing proximal luminal diameter, divided by the normal luminal diameter and multiplied by 100 [10].

Statistics

SPSS version 15.0 (IBM Corporation, Somers/NY, USA) was used. Agreement between raters was calculated using Cohen’s κ. Values below 0 were defined as poor, 0 – 0.20 as slight, 0.21 – 0.40 as fair, 0.41 – 0.60 as moderate, 0.61 – 0.80 as substantial and 0.81 – 1.00 as (almost) perfect agreement.

All comparisons were made using a two-tailed Whitney-Mann U-test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Sensitivity was calculated as the number of true positives divided by the sum of true positives and the number of false negatives. Specificity was accordingly calculated as the number of true negatives divided by the sum of true negatives and the number of false positives.

Results

21 patients (10 female, 11 male patients, mean age 48 ± 8 years) could be included. Only one patient with CAD with the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma not reaching the skull base and meeting all inclusion criteria could be identified but was excluded. As a control group, an age and sex-matched cohort of patients (n = 42) undergoing NECCT for ischemic symptoms but without CAD was used. Median time to presentation was 24 hours (range: 45 minutes to 4 weeks). Of the 21 patients, 14 patients with CAD exhibited a subpetrous carotid wall hematoma while only two without a CAD did. In three patients with CAD the subpetrous region on the affected side was not included in the field of view because the acquisition plane was slightly tilted. Interrater agreement was substantial with κ = 0.67. This results in a sensitivity of 67 % and a specificity of 95 %. When excluding the patients without coverage of the subpetrous region, sensitivity increased to 78 %.

3 patients exhibited a crescent-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma, and 11 had a full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma. DSA was performed in 3 patients, CTA in another 3 and MRA in 7 patients. Median grade of stenosis was 80 % in patients with a full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma and 21 % with a crescent-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma (p < 0.05). Mean diameter was 6.95 ± 1.05 mm in dissected vessels and 5.71 ± 1.52 mm in the contralateral vessel (p < 0.05). Mean difference in vessel density was 15.05 ± 8.01 HU (p < 0.01).

The onset of symptoms with regards to non-ischemic symptoms of CAD was recorded only in a minority of patients while the time to presentation with regard to ischemic symptoms was recorded in all patients. Thus, a correlation between density and the presumed age of the hematoma could not be calculated.

Discussion

We found that two-thirds of patients with CAD were correctly identified with NECCT. Our secondary analysis confirmed our subjective ratings. All findings on NECCT could be easily identified on the standard 40/80 (width/level) window setting. Since the subpetrous carotid wall hematoma was only rated as present in two patients without CAD, the specificity of this sign was very high. A possible mechanism for a false-positive subpetrous carotid wall hematoma is a tortuous course of the internal carotid artery. If the artery is not running perpendicular to the imaging plane, it may be mistaken for an enlarged vessel but it can be identified if followed continuously through the imaging stack ([Fig. 4]).

Fig. 4 False-positive subpetrous carotid wall hematoma. The internal carotid artery appears enlarged and hyperdense but can be followed along its tortuous course below the skull base a. Contrast-enhanced MRA in the same patient demonstrates an elongated and tortuous course of the internal carotid artery below the skull base b. Note stenosis of the right vertebral artery (long arrow).

Abb. 4 Falsch positives subpetröses Karotiswandhämatom. Die A. carotis interna erscheint vergröβert und hyperdens, kann aber entlang ihres gewundenen Verlaufs unterhalb der Schädelbasis verfolgt werden a. Die kontrastmittelverstärkte MRA beim selben Patienten zeigt den elongierten und gewundenen Verlauf der A. carotis interna unterhalb der Schädelbasis b. Nebenbefundlich Stenose der rechten A. vertebralis (langer Pfeil).

Dissection of the cervical brain-supplying arteries is a sequela of intimal tears. Blood can enter the space between the intimal and media layers and cause local stenosis or occlusion. The mural hematoma usually occurs a few centimeters distal to the bifurcation and extends to the subpetrous segment and to the skull base. It rarely enters the skull as the carotid canal forms a natural barrier. The intimal tear itself represents the location for thrombus formation and subsequent embolization. The standard treatment for extradural CAD is oral anticoagulation for at least 3 – 6 months. For a review on the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment, see Schievink [11]. Intravenous thrombolysis was demonstrated to be safe in patients with CAD [12] [13]. However, in patients with CAD and local high-grade stenosis or occlusion, mechanical recanalization is a potentially more efficient option to consider [14] [15].

The crescent sign was described in the aorta as a cap of hyperattenuating thrombus material suggesting acute or impending dissection [16]. It was also described on T1w images in subacute dissection of the vertebral and internal carotid arteries [17]. One case report describes its presence on NECCT in a patient with CAD [18]. To our knowledge, the present work is the first systematic report on the prevalence and significance of this sign in patients with CAD.

There are several limitations to this study. The retrospective character of the study and the small sample size do not allow for general conclusions. Additionally, a suspicious or definite pathologic NECCT will not replace vessel imaging. However, especially in patients without suspicion of dissection, this sign could entail further vascular work-up. The difference between the two observed shapes of the subpetrous carotid wall hematomas is not clear and the immediate consequences are the same. However, there was at least a trend towards higher grades of stenosis in the case of the full moon-shaped subpetrous carotid wall hematoma. Both shapes should be appreciated if encountered.

Conclusion

The subpetrous hematoma on NECCT could be used as an early marker of CAD. This report demonstrates that NECCT can deliver information on extracranial vessel status. It also serves as a reminder as to how much information is available on NECCT. Attention should be paid to the extracranial portions of the internal carotid artery if included on NECCT especially in young and middle-aged patients with ischemic symptoms. The presence of a subpetrous carotid wall hematoma should entail further vascular work-up.

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