Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. Subject and method: 110 ischemic stroke patients excluded cardioembolic strokes. Atherosclerosis was defined by or = 50 percent symptomatic stenosis on MR angiography 3.0 Tesla. The risk factors were recommended by WHO 1996. Result: Atherosclerosis was 72.8 percent (the patients with ICAS were 65.5 percent
the patients with ECAS were 7.3 percent
and the patients with both ICAS and ECAS were 5.5 percent). Among the ICAS patients, there were 21.9 percent with ICA, 34.5 percent with MCA, 2.2 percent with ACA, 2.2 percent with PCA, and 27.6 percent with VA and SA. There were 16.88 percent with moderate stenosis, 46.75 percent with serious stenosis, and 36.36 percent with occlusion. Multiple stenosis was 37.7 percent. Diabetes [OR: 4.29 (CI: 1.16-15.77)] and metabolic syndrome [OR: 3.53 (CI: 1.09 - 11.44)]. Conclusion: Diabetes and metabolic syndrome conferred a higher risk for ICAS than for none ICAS disease. The history of stroke was associated with multiple stenosis. Hypertension was a risk factor of isolated SA atherosclerosis.