Framework for diagnostic categorization of vessel wall MR imaging findingsa
| VW-MR Imaging Category | Findings |
|---|---|
| Normal | Arterial wall is thin or imperceptible; no wall enhancement other than ± proximal intracranial internal carotid and vertebral arteries attributed to vasa vasorum |
| Intracranial atherosclerotic disease | Arterial wall is focally, eccentrically thickened; T2 prolongation ± enhancement immediately adjacent to the lumen and T2 shortening within the wall more peripherally; markers of disease activity include plaque enhancement and intraplaque hemorrhage |
| Arterial dissection | Arterial wall is eccentrically thickened; thickened wall has the signal characteristics of blood products; marker of disease activity is intramural signal characteristics of acute or subacute blood product |
| Vasculitis | Arterial wall is concentrically, homogeneously thickened and enhancing |
| Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome | Arterial wall is concentrically, homogeneously thickened with no (or mild) enhancement |
↵a Adapted from the consensus recommendations of the Vessel Wall Imaging Study Group of the American Society of Neuroradiology.9