Browsing by Author "Kurkinen, Minna"

We investigated the features of and risk factors for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-defined SBIs and leukoaraiosis in 1008 consecutive adults aged 15-49 years with first-ever ischemic stroke.We analyzed the radiologic features of SBIs and leukoaraiosis in MR-scanned patients (n=669) and examined their relation with subtype of the overt stroke. Of the 669 patients included, 13%had SBIs, 7% leukoaraiosis, 3% had both, and 550 free of these served as controls. Most of SBIs were located in basal ganglia (39%) or subcortical regions (21%), but cerebellar SBIs were also rather frequent (15%). Leukoaraiosis was mainly mild to moderate. Risk factors for SBIs were type 1 diabetes, obesity, smoking, and increasing age. Risk factors for leukoaraiosis were type 1 diabetes, obesity, female sex, and increasing age. Small-vessel disease was the predominant cause of stroke in both groups. Thus SBIs and leukoaraiosis are not uncommon among young stroke patients-type 1 diabetes being the strongest risk factor.