1995 Volume 17 Issue 3 Pages 292-297
We studied the relationship between asymptomatic ischemic lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and risk factors for stroke in 460 asymptomatic subjects. Focal lesions were classified into two groups according to their size. Periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) was graded from 0 to 3. We also evaluated equivocal deep white matter hyperintensity as a confluent lesion that was separate from PVH. The incidence of focal lesions below 2 mm in diameter (we regard them as étatcriblé) was 5.7%, and that of lesions over 2 mm was 16.1%. Grade 2 PVH was observed in 12.6% and grade 3 PVH in 2.2%. The prevalence rate of confluent lesions was 8.7%. The age of the group which had white matter lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without lesions. Hypertension was the greatest risk factor for the occurrence of focal lesions, PVH, and confluent lesions. Diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor only for focal lesions. Other risk factors did not display any relations to white matter abnormalities.
