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Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of high-resolution magnetic resonance-vessel wall imaging (HRMR-VWI) in differentiating moyamoya disease (MMD) from atherosclerosis-associated moyamoya vasculopathy (AS-MMV) and investigate an accurate approach for the differential diagnosis. Methods: Adult patients who were diagnosed as MMD or AS-MMV and underwent HRMR-VWI were retrospectively included. The three vessel wall features (outer diameter (OD), remodeling index (RI), and pattern of vessel wall thickening) of middle cerebral artery (MCA) in identifying MMD from AS-MMV were assessed and compared. Furthermore, subgroup analysis stratified by degree of luminal stenosis was performed and the cutoff values of different vessel wall features in differentiating MMD from AS-MMV were also calculated. Results: A total of 265 patients (160 cases of MMD and 105 AS-MMV) were included. Patients with AS-MMV had greater OD and RI and were more likely to exhibit eccentric thickening of vessel wall compared to those with MMD (all p < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed that the AUC value of OD was greater than that of RI (0.912 vs. 0.889, p = 0.007) in differentiating MMD from AS-MMV, and their corresponding cutoff values were 1.77 mm and 0.27, respectively. And the AUC value of pattern of vessel wall thickening was 0.786 in non-occluded patients. With the increase of lumen stenosis, the discrimination power of the three indicators enhanced correspondingly. Conclusions: HRMR-VWI is valuable in distinguishing MMD from AS-MMV. The OD of MCA has better diagnostic performance in differentiating AS-MMV from MMD compared to RI and pattern of vessel wall thickening. Clinical relevance statement: The outer diameter of the involved artery proved to be both accurate and convenient in distinguishing atherosclerosis-associated moyamoya vasculopathy from moyamoya disease and may provide a quantitative reference for clinical diagnosis. Key Points: High-resolution magnetic resonance-vessel wall imaging is valuable in distinguishing atherosclerosis-associated moyamoya vasculopathy from moyamoya disease. Compared to remodeling index and pattern of vessel wall thickening, outer diameter is more accurate in differentiating atherosclerosis-associated moyamoya vasculopathy from moyamoya disease. With the increase of lumen stenosis, the discrimination power of outer diameter, remodeling index, and pattern of vessel wall thickening enhanced correspondingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between vessel wall enhancement and progression of arterial stenosis and clinical outcomes in patients with moyamoya (MMD) using high-resolution magnetic resonance (HRMR) vessel wall imaging. Methods: Consecutive participants diagnosed with MMD were prospectively recruited and underwent HRMR at baseline and during follow-up, which had an interval period of ≥ 6 months and were clinically followed up for ≤ 24 months to record the occurrence of ischemic stroke. The relationship between vessel wall enhancement and arterial stenosis progression and stroke occurrence was evaluated. Results: HRMR vessel wall imaging was used to identify 309 stenotic lesions at the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 170 participants (mean age: 37.7 ± 11.3 years old, male: 44.1%). The baseline presence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.97–6.44, p < 0.001) and progression (aOR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.29–6.80, p = 0.010) of vessel wall enhancement and middle cerebral artery (MCA) involvement (aOR = 4.98, 95% CI = 1.50–16.52, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with rapid progression of arterial stenosis. Furthermore, vessel wall enhancement (adjusted HR = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.33–9.70, p = 0.011) and rapid progression of arterial stenosis (adjusted HR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.48–13.81, p = 0.008) were correlated with future stroke occurrence. Conclusion: The baseline presence of vessel wall enhancement was associated with rapid progression of arterial stenosis and increased risk for stroke in MMD patients. Our findings suggest that vessel wall enhancement may serve as a predictor of disease progression and poor outcomes in MMD. Key Points: • The baseline presence of vessel wall enhancement was significantly associated with the rapid progression of arterial stenosis. • The baseline presence of vessel wall enhancement and rapid progression of arterial stenosis were both correlated with increased risk for future occurrence of stroke. • Our findings suggest that vessel wall enhancement may serve as a predictor of rapid progression of arterial stenosis and poor outcomes in MMD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]