Objectives: To investigate temporal changes in imaging findings of conservatively treated acute unruptured vertebral basilar artery dissection (VBAD) and its contributing factors.
Methods: Fifty-three patients who underwent conservative treatment for 64 cases of acute VBAD diagnosed between January 2006 and March 2019 with follow-up of at least 12 months after onset were retrospectively investigated. Statistical analyses of age, sex, medical history, pattern of onset, lesion site, imaging findings and changes over time, regular medication, and outcomes were performed.
Results: Changes in the vascular morphology of the lesion site during the follow-up period were observed in only 23 (43 %) patients (median time until change: 19 days). Univariate analysis of factors contributing to morphological changes at the dissection site showed that changes were significantly more likely in younger patients (p = 0.011). Patients taking antiplatelet drugs had a significantly greater rate of deterioration at the dissection site (p = 0.028) than others. On multivariate analysis, age was an independent factor contributing to changes at the dissection site, and taking antiplatelet drugs, particularly clopidogrel, was an independent factor contributing to deterioration. No patient developed intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or worsening of neurological symptoms during follow-up.
Conclusions: Morphological changes at the dissection site are more likely in younger patients with acute unruptured VBAD and those taking antiplatelet drugs. However, chances of intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or worsening of neurological symptoms during conservative therapy are low; therefore, acute unruptured VBAD may be considered a benign condition.
Keywords: Conservative therapy; Imaging findings; Morphological changes; Natural history; Unruptured vertebral basilar artery dissection.
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