Diffusion tensor imaging characteristics of cerebral infarction / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the evaluation of cerebral infraction. Methods Sixty-nine patients with cerebral infraction confirmed by clinical manifestation and routine MRI and/or CT were analyzed for the signal intensity changes on DTI. The isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCiso) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the infracted area were measured and compared with those of the unaffected side. Results Four types of signal intensity changes on DTI were identified. Type Ⅰ changes were found in 8 infraction lesions, where the ADCiso decreased and FA increased, and the infraction lesions showed hypointensity on ADCiso map and hyperintensity on FA map. Type Ⅱ changes, found in 23 lesions, were characterized by decreased ADCiso and FA values, but ADCiso in the peripheral of the lesions decreased and FA increased, and the lesions were shown as isointensity or hypointensity on ADCiso and FA maps with hyperintensity on the peripheral. Type Ⅲ changes (7 lesions) were manifested by decreased ADCiso and FA values and hypointensity on ADCiso and FA maps. Type Ⅳ changes were found in 31 infraction lesions, showing increased ADCiso and decreased FA with corresponding hyperintensity on ADCiso map and hypointensity on FA map. Significant differences were found in the DTI parameters between the infraction lesions and unaffected side (P<0.05). Conclusion DTI for qualitative and quantitative analysis of cerebral infraction better reveals the pathophysiology of the infraction, allows more precise imaging-based staging of the lesion, and provides evidences for more objective diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prognostic evaluation of the condition.