No abstract

Methods: This descriptive study was a retrospective chart analysis of 684 asymptomatic TIA patients admitted to the EDOU, over a 20-month period. Patients were divided by significant or no significant findings for either brain or neck MRA or both.Results: There were no significant findings for either the brain or neck MRA in 70.8% (n¼484) of patients. 9.8% (n¼67) had significant findings for only the neck MRA. 12.0% (n¼82) of patients had significant findings for only the brain MRA. 7.5% (n¼51) had significant findings for both brain and neck MRA. Significant findings included moderate to severe vascular stenosis and/or occlusion of the vertebral arteries, carotid, aneurysms (saccular and fusiform), subclavian steal syndrome, and thyroid nodules. Clinically significant findings were noted in 29.4% of the 684 patients.Conclusion: With the use of MRA of the brain and neck, we are discovering more clinically significant findings that may have gone years undiagnosed. Based on this data, it seems fitting that the use of MRI of the brain with MRA of the brain and neck should be utilized for evaluation of TIA patients when able, thus replacing prior workups such as, carotid ultrasound.