Post-carotid stenting reperfusion injury with blood-brain barrier disruption on gadolinium-enhanced FLAIR MRI

Abstract

Background: Following carotid revascularization, an abrupt increase in cerebral blood flow may disrupt the blood-brain barrier, resulting in reperfusion injury. This damage to the blood-brain barrier may be reflected by subarachnoid enhancement on FLAIR MRI after gadolinium injection.Case presentation: The authors present two cases of post-carotid stenting reperfusion injury that showed hyperintensity in the subarachnoid spaces on FLAIR MRI after gadolinium injection.Conclusion: These MRI findings may represent a marker for reperfusion injury after carotid revascularization.