Comparison of perfusion computed tomography with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in hyperacute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: In this study, perfusion CT and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) were compared as means of assessing the ischemic brain in hyperacute stroke. METHODS: Twenty patients with ischemic stroke underwent perfusion computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies <3 hours after stroke onset. Cerebral blood flow thresholds were used to delineate the ischemic lesion, penumbra, and infarct. Correlations between the volume of the hypoperfused areas, the abnormality volume in admission DWI and follow-up CT/MRI studies, and the clinical National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were performed. RESULTS: The volume of the ischemic (core and penumbra) lesion on admission perfusion CT was correlated with the volume of admission DWI abnormalities (r=0.89, P=0.001). The infarcted core tissue volume (on admission CT) correlated more strongly (r=0.77, P=0.0001) than the admission DWI abnormality volume (r=0.69, P=0.002) with the follow-up infarct volume on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. A correlation was demonstrated between infarct volume in perfusion CT and follow-up DWI abnormality volume (r=0.89, r=0.77, P=0.002). Significant correlations were found between ischemic and infarct region volumes in perfusion CT and NIHSS admission and follow-up scores (P < or = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both imaging modalities provide a sufficient assessment of the hyperacute brain infarct, with significant correlation between them and the clinical condition at admission. Perfusion CT allows differentiation of the penumbra and infarct core region with significant predictive value of follow-up infarct volume and clinical outcome.     

Relationship between sodium intensity and perfusion deficits in acute ischemic stroke

Purpose

To assess the relationship between sodium signal intensity changes and oligemia, measured with perfusion‐weighted imaging (PWI), in ischemic stroke patients.

Materials and Methods

Nine ischemic stroke patients (55 ± 13 years), four with follow‐up scans, underwent sodium and proton imaging 4–32 hours after symptom onset. Relative sodium intensity was calculated as the ratio of signal intensities in core (identified as hypertintense lesions on diffusion‐weighted imaging [DWI]) or putative penumbra (PWI‐DWI mismatch) to contralateral homologous regions.

Results

Sodium intensity increases in the core were not correlated with the severity of hypoperfusion, measured with either cerebral blood flow (rho = 0.157; P = 0.61) or cerebral blood volume (rho = ?0.234; P = 0.44). In contrast, relative sodium intensity was not elevated (4–7 hours 0.96 ± 0.07; 17–32 hours 1.00 ± 0.07) in PWI‐DWI mismatch regions.

Conclusion

Sodium signal intensity cannot be predicted by the degree of hypoperfusion acutely. Sodium intensity also remains unchanged in PWI‐DWI mismatch tissue, indicating preservation of ionic homeostasis. Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in conjunction with PWI and DWI, may permit identification of patients with viable tissue, despite an unknown symptom onset time. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:41–47. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

     

CT diagnosis in acute cerebral ischemia

The advent of new MRI techniques such as perfusion- (PWI) and diffusion- (DWI) weighted imaging has improved diagnostic imaging in stroke. However, CT scanners are more widely available and less expensive than MRI scanners and are often located in the emergency departments even of smaller community hospitals. Topic of this article is CT-based diagnosis of patients with hyperacute ischemic stroke. In hyperacute stroke, a multiparametric CT protocol allows a comprehensive diagnosis by combining non-contrast enhanced CT (NECT), perfusion CT (PCT), and CT angiography (CTA). PCT can render important information about the hypoperfused brain tissue, CTA provides further important information about the vessel status. When stroke MRI is not available, multiparametric stroke CT can give nearly equivalent information, and can help to identify patients for thrombolytic therapy.     

Predicting stroke evolution: comparison of susceptibility-weighted MR imaging with MR perfusion

Objectives

To investigate the ability of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) to predict stroke evolution in comparison with perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI).

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of 15 patients with non-lacunar ischaemic stroke studied no later than 24?h after symptom onset, we used the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) to compare lesions on initial diffusion-weighted images (DWI), SWI, PWI and follow-up studies obtained at least 5?days after symptom onset. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at entry and stroke risk factors were documented. The clinical–DWI, SWI–DWI and PWI–DWI mismatches were calculated.

Results

SWI–DWI and mean transit time (MTT)–DWI mismatches were significantly associated with higher incidence of infarct growth (P?=?0.007 and 0.028) and had similar ability to predict stroke evolution (P?=?1.0). ASPECTS values on initial DWI, SWI and PWI were significantly correlated with those on follow-up studies (P?≤?0.026) but not associated with infarct growth. The SWI ASPECTS values were best correlated with MTT ones (ρ?=?0.8, P?Conclusions SWI is an alternative to PWI to assess penumbra and predict stroke evolution. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of SWI in guiding thrombolytic therapy. Key Points ? SWI can provide perfusion information comparable to MTT ? SWI–DWI mismatch can indicate ischaemic penumbra ? SWI–DWI mismatch can be a predictor for stroke evolution     

Assessment of Tissue Viability Using Diffusion- and Perfusion-Weighted MRI in Hyperacute Stroke

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the diffusion and perfusion parameters in hyperacute infarction, and we wanted to determine the viability threshold for the ischemic penumbra using diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging (DWI and PWI, respectively).

Materials and Methods

Both DWI and PWI were performed within six hours from the onset of symptoms for 12 patients who had suffered from acute stroke. Three regions of interest (ROIs) were identified: ROI 1 was the initial lesion on DWI; ROI 2 was the DWI/PWI mismatch area (the penumbra) that progressed onward to the infarct; and ROI 3 was the mismatch area that recovered to normal on the follow-up scans. The ratios of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and the time to peak (TTP) were calculated as the lesions'' ROIs divided by the contralateral mirror ROIs, and these values were then correlated with each other. The viability threshold was determined by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

For all three ROIs, the ADC ratios had significant linear correlation with the TTP ratios (p < 0.001), but not with the rCBV ratios (p = 0.280). There was no significant difference for the ADC and rCBV ratios within the ROIs. The mean TTP ratio/TTP delay between the penumbras'' two ROIs showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). The cutoff value between ROI 2 and ROI 3, as the viability threshold, was a TTP ratio of 1.29 (with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 73%, respectively) and a TTP delay of 7.8 sec (with a sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 72%, respectively).

Conclusion

Determining the viability thresholds for the TTP ratio/delay on the PWI may be helpful for selecting those patients who would benefit from the various therapeutic interventions that can be used during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.     

What’s the clinical significance of adding diffusion and perfusion MRI in the differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme and solitary brain metastasis?

Objective

To evaluate the additional diagnostic value of diffusion and perfusion MRI in the differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and solitary brain metastasis.

The association between neurological deficit in acute ischemic stroke and mean transit time

The purpose of our study was to identify the perfusion MRI (pMRI) algorithm which yields a volume of hypoperfused tissue that best correlates with the acute clinical deficit as quantified by the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and therefore reflects critically hypoperfused tissue. A group of 20 patients with a first acute stroke and stroke MRI within 24 h of symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. Perfusion maps were derived using four different algorithms to estimate relative mean transit time (rMTT): (1) cerebral blood flow (CBF) arterial input function (AIF)/singular voxel decomposition (SVD); (2) area peak; (3) time to peak (TTP); and (4) first moment method. Lesion volumes based on five different MTT thresholds relative to contralateral brain were compared with each other and correlated with NIHSS score. The first moment method had the highest correlation with NIHSS (r=0.79, P<0.001) followed by the AIF/SVD method, both of which did not differ significantly from each other with regard to lesion volumes. TTP and area peak derived both volumes, which correlated poorly or only moderately with NIHSS scores. Data from our pilot study suggest that the first moment and the AIF/SVD method have advantages over the other algorithms in identifying the pMRI lesion volume that best reflects clinical severity. At present there seems to be no need for extensive postprocessing and arbitrarily defined delay thresholds in pMRI as the simple qualitative approach with a first moment algorithm is equally accurate. Larger sample sizes which allow comparison between imaging and clinical outcomes are needed to refine the choice of best perfusion parameter in pMRI.     

Evaluation with MR,perfusion MR and cerebral flowSPECT in NPSLE patients

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of MR, cerebral flow SPECT and perfusion MRI (PWI) in NPSLE patients by using image co-registration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 SLE patients underwent MR (T2-weighted FLAIR), perfusion and diffusion MR, and SPECT (after ( 99m)Tc-HMPAO intravenous injection). Two experienced operators analysed the images both independently and jointly after multi-modal volumetric co-registration ("Statistical Parametric Mapping" software, based on the Maximization of mutual information method). RESULTS: The FLAIR examination depicted 82 small lesions in 11/20 patients. Perfusion SPECT showed 43 hypoperfused areas in 17/20 patients. PWI showed 13 hypoperfused areas in 10/20 patients. After co-registration of images, anatomical agreement between SPECT and PWI was found in 10 hypoperfused areas (8 patients). Co-registration with FLAIR showed some false positives, more frequent in SPECT (9/43 areas) than in PWI (2/13 areas). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The FLAIR examination confirmed its high sensitivity in detecting lesions. Perfusion SPECT confirmed high sensitivity for the detection of hypoperfused cerebral areas. PWI showed fewer areas of cerebral hypoperfusion than did SPECT. The disagreement between SPECT and PWI may be related to the different modalities for disease detection. The anatomical agreement of hypoperfused areas between SPECT and PWI, assessed after co-registration, can suggest the prognostic hypothesis of delayed appearance of permanent parenchymal lesions. Co-registration modality, being able to show some false positives, seems to be a valid support for the interpretation of SPECT and PWI findings; the joint analysis of SPECT and PWI highlighted the capability of PWI for the interpretation of uncertain cases.     

Time evolution of cerebral perfusion and apparent diffusion coefficient measured by magnetic resonance imaging in a porcine stroke model

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of sequential diffusion-weighted (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a recently developed porcine stroke model and to evaluate the evolution of cerebral perfusion and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) over time. Materials and Methods In five pigs, DW imaging (DWI) and PW imaging (PWI) was carried out for 7 hours after stroke onset, starting 1 hour after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). RESULTS: The DWI lesion volume increased significantly with time, and final DWI lesion volume correlated well with lesion area on histological sections (r = 0.910). T2 changes could be recognized 3 hours after stroke onset. At 1 hour the ADC ratio (ischemic lesion/contralateral side) was reduced to 0.81 in the caudate-putamen and to 0.87 in the cortex, and the cerebral blood flow ratio was reduced to 0.40 in the caudate-putamen and 0.51 in the cortex. CONCLUSION: The level of flow reduction in the caudate-putamen and the cortex after 1 hour is in good correlation with human thresholds of irreversible and reversible ischemic damage, and accordingly, this model might be a model for mechanisms of infarct evolution and therapeutic intervention.     

Prognostic value of perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in first 3 days of stroke

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in cerebral perfusion seen on mean transit time (MTT) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps and to assess the subsequent prognostic value of the MTT–DWI (diffusion-weighted MRI) and CBV–DWI mismatch in the first three days of stroke on lesion enlargement and clinical outcome. In 38 patients, imaged 1–46 h after onset of symptoms, lesion volumes on proton-density (PD)-weighted MRI, DWI and PWI (both MTT and CBV maps) were compared with lesion volumes on follow-up PD-weighted scans, and to clinical outcome (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel index, and Rankin scale). The MTT-CBV, MTT–DWI and CBV–DWI mismatches were compared with change in lesion volume between initial and follow-up PD-weighted scans. Lesion volume on both DWI and PWI correlated significantly with clinical outcome parameters (p < 0.001) with strongest correlation for lesion volume on CBV. Perfusion–diffusion mismatches were found for both CBV and MTT and correlated significantly with lesion enlargement on PD-weighted imaging with strongest correlation for the CBV–DWI mismatch. The CBV–DWI mismatch has the highest accuracy in predicting lesion size on follow-up imaging and in predicting clinical outcome. Lesion volume measurements on CBV maps have a higher specificity than on PD-weighted, MTT or DWI images in predicting clinical follow-up imaging and in predicting clinical outcome. Received: 21 January 2000; Revised: 18 April 2000; Accepted: 20 April 2000     

Real-time diffusion-perfusion mismatch analysis in acute stroke

Diffusion-perfusion mismatch can be used to identify acute stroke patients that could benefit from reperfusion therapies. Early assessment of the mismatch facilitates necessary diagnosis and treatment decisions in acute stroke. We developed the RApid processing of PerfusIon and Diffusion (RAPID) for unsupervised, fully automated processing of perfusion and diffusion data for the purpose of expedited routine clinical assessment. The RAPID system computes quantitative perfusion maps (cerebral blood volume, CBV; cerebral blood flow, CBF; mean transit time, MTT; and the time until the residue function reaches its peak, T(max)) using deconvolution of tissue and arterial signals. Diffusion-weighted imaging/perfusion-weighted imaging (DWI/PWI) mismatch is automatically determined using infarct core segmentation of ADC maps and perfusion deficits segmented from T(max) maps. The performance of RAPID was evaluated on 63 acute stroke cases, in which diffusion and perfusion lesion volumes were outlined by both a human reader and the RAPID system. The correlation of outlined lesion volumes obtained from both methods was r(2) = 0.99 for DWI and r(2) = 0.96 for PWI. For mismatch identification, RAPID showed 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity. The mismatch information is made available on the hospital's PACS within 5-7 min. Results indicate that the automated system is sufficiently accurate and fast enough to be used for routine care as well as in clinical trials.     

DWI Reversal Is Associated with Small Infarct Volume in Patients with TIA and Minor Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:More than half of patients with TIA/minor stroke have ischemic lesions on early DWI, which represent irreversibly damaged tissue. The presence and volume of DWI lesions predict early deterioration in this population. We aimed to study the rate and implications of DWI reversal in patients with TIA/minor stroke.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients with TIA/minor stroke were prospectively enrolled and imaged within 24 hours of onset. Patients were followed for 3 months with repeat MR imaging either at day 30 or 90. Baseline DWI/PWI and follow-up FLAIR final infarct volumes were measured.RESULTS:Of 418 patients included, 55.5% had DWI and 37% had PWI (time-to-peak of the impulse response ≥2 seconds'' delay) lesions at baseline. The median time from symptom onset to baseline and follow-up imaging was 13.4 (interquartile range, 12.7) and 78.73 hours (interquartile range, 60.2), respectively. DWI reversal occurred in 5.7% of patients. The median DWI lesion volume was significantly smaller in those with reversal (0.26 mL, interquartile range = 0.58 mL) compared with those without (1.29 mL, interquartile range = 3.6 mL, P = .002); 72.7% of DWI reversal occurred in cortically based lesions. Concurrent tissue hypoperfusion (time-to-peak of the impulse response ≥2 seconds) was seen in 36.4% of those with DWI reversal versus 62.4% without (P = .08). DWI reversal occurred in 3.3% of patients with penumbral patterns (time-to-peak of the impulse response ≥6 seconds − DWI) > 0 and in 6.8% of those without penumbral patterns (P = .3). The severity of hypoperfusion, defined as greater prolongation of time-to-peak of the impulse response (≥2, ≥4, ≥6, ≥8 seconds), did not affect the likelihood of DWI reversal (linear trend, P = .147). No patient with DWI reversal had an mRS score of ≥2 at 90 days versus 18.2% of those without reversal (P = .02).CONCLUSIONS:DWI reversal is uncommon in patients with TIA/minor stroke and is more likely to occur in those with smaller baseline lesions. DWI reversal should not have a significant effect on the accuracy of penumbra definition.

Multiple studies have shown that more than half of patients with TIA/minor stroke have evidence of acute ischemic tissue injury on early DWI.^1–3 The presence and the volume of DWI lesions carry a negative prognostic value in this population.^4–6 The DWI-restricted lesions are thought to represent the irreversibly damaged ischemic core.⁷ This premise was recently brought into question by studies suggesting a high rate of DWI lesion reversal in patients with stroke who had undergone thrombolytic therapy.^8,9 A recent systematic review of the published literature on DWI hyperintense tissue outcome reported variable rates of DWI reversal (0%–83%), with a mean reversal rate of 24% in patients with ischemic stroke.¹⁰ In most patients, the size of the acute infarct correlated with both the final infarct volume on follow-up T2/FLAIR imaging and the clinical outcome.^11,12 Most previous work on DWI reversal has been undertaken in patients with moderate-to-severe strokes. Patients with TIA or minor stroke have smaller volumes of ischemia and potentially may have a higher likelihood of reversal. Previous imaging studies have reported reversal of the DWI signal in patients with TIA, but these were relatively small series, without scheduled follow-up imaging and DWI reversal was not studied systematically.^13–15Potentially salvageable tissue known as the “ischemic penumbra” represents viable tissue at risk of infarct that has not yet infarcted.¹⁶ Various methods are used to define the ischemic penumbra on MR imaging, including the mismatch between perfusion and diffusion¹⁷ or clinical-diffusion mismatch.¹⁸ All of these definitions rely on DWI lesions representing irreversibly damaged ischemic core.DWI reversibility, therefore, has implications in both accurate assessment of ischemic core and penumbra and outcome prediction.We, therefore, aimed to determine the rate and characteristics of DWI reversal in 2 large prospective imaging cohorts of patients with TIA/minor stroke. We studied the correlation among the DWI lesion volume, lesion location, concurrent baseline hypoperfusion on perfusion-weighted imaging, the severity of the perfusion deficit, and the reversal of DWI signal on follow-up FLAIR/T2 imaging in this population.     

磁共振DWI和PWI在超急性脑梗死诊治中的应用

目的评价磁共振弥散加权成像（DWI）和灌注加权成像（PWI）在超急性脑梗死诊断及指导临床早期溶栓治疗中的应用价值。方法 56例发病在6 h以内且临床提示处于超急性期脑梗死患者均行急诊MRI检查,扫描序列包括T1WI、T2WI、FLAIR、DWI及PWI,部分病例行MRA检查。结果 56例患者T1WI均未见异常信号,35例患者T2WI、FLAIR发现有轻微异常信号影。56例DWI和PWI均发现异常,但在DWI上显示的高信号急性脑梗死区域与在PWI上显示的脑灌注延长区域不匹配,PWI显示的病灶范围更大。图像后处理显示平均通过时间（MTT）、达峰时间（TTP）均有不同程度的延长,脑血流量（CBF）出现不同程度的减少。结论急诊MRI,特别是DWI和PWI序列对超急性脑梗死患者可以作出准确的诊断,可以安全、迅速、有效地指导临床进行早期溶栓治疗。     

Combined SPECT and diffusion-weighted MRI as a predictor of infarct growth in acute ischemic stroke.

In acute ischemic stroke, the infarcted core is surrounded by a zone of tissue that has decreased perfusion. Some of this tissue may be salvaged by prompt, effective treatment. Diffusion-weighted MRI is sensitive in detecting the infarcted tissue, whereas SPECT also detects the hypoperfused tissue around the infarcted core. We studied the potential of combined diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT to predict infarct growth and clinical outcome in patients not receiving thrombolytic treatment. METHODS: Sixteen patients with acute stroke were examined consecutively with diffusion-weighted MRI and 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) SPECT within 24 h of the onset of symptoms. Follow-up diffusion-weighted MRI was performed on the second day and after 1 wk. The volumes of infarcted and hypoperfused brain tissue were measured from diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT, respectively. The volume difference between the hypoperfused and infarcted tissue on the first day was compared with the possible increase in infarct volume during the follow-up. Each patient's neurologic status was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). RESULTS: The volume of infarcted tissue increased from 48 +/- 54 cm3 (mean +/- SD) on the first day to 88 +/- 93 cm3 on the second day (P = 0.001) and to 110 +/- 121 cm3 at 1 wk (P = 0.001). The volume of hypoperfused tissue on the first day was significantly greater than the infarct volume (102 +/- 135 cm3; P = 0.001). The volume difference between the hypoperfused and infarcted tissue on the first day correlated significantly with the infarct growth between the first day and 1 wk (r = 0.71; P < 0.01). Between the first day and 1 wk, the increase of the infarct volume correlated significantly with the change in the NIHSS (r = 0.54; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A large hypoperfusion zone around the infarct core in the acute phase of ischemic stroke predicts the infarct growth during the first week, and this correlates significantly with the change in the neurologic status of the patient. Combined diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT performed within 24 h after the onset of symptoms can be useful in the evaluation of acute stroke to predict infarct growth.     

Usefulness of diffusion/perfusion-weighted MRI in rat gliomas: correlation with histopathology

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Diffusion/perfusion-weighted MRI (DWI/PWI) can provide additional useful information in the diagnosis of patients with brain gliomas in a noninvasive fashion. However, the exact role of these new techniques is still undergoing evaluation. Our hypothesis was that DWI and PWI could be useful for assessment of growth and vascularity of implanted C6 rat gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six rats were implanted with C6 glioma cells intracerebrally. Between 1 and 4 weeks after implantation, 8-10 rats were imaged on a clinical, 1.5-T whole-body magnetic resonance system with T(1)-weighted imaging (T(1)WI), T(2)-weighted imaging, DWI, PWI, and postcontrast T(1)WI at each weekly time point. All tumors were examined histologically; tumor cellularity and microvascular density were counted. RESULTS: On DWIs, statistical differences of apparent diffusion coefficient values for both the tumoral core and peritumoral region were present comparing tumors of 3-4 weeks' growth with tumors of 1-2 weeks' growth. Apparent diffusion coefficient value of tumoral core was negatively correlated with tumor cellularity (r = -0.682, P < .01). Statistical difference of maximal regional cerebral blood volume of tumoral core was present comparing 2-4 weeks with both 1 week after implantation and contralateral white matter (P < .01). Native vessel dilation in regions of normal brain at the periphery of the tumors at 1 week after implantation was observed. Correlation between maximal regional cerebral blood volume of tumor core and microvascular density was present (r = 0.716, P < .01). CONCLUSION: DWI and PWI has potential to characterize C6 gliomas in rats, which is a promising model similar to human gliomas.     

Time course of lesion development in patients with acute brain stem infarction and correlation with NIHSS score

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive in detecting acute supratentorial cerebral ischemia and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) lesion size has been shown to correlate strongly with the neurologic deficit in middle cerebral artery territory stroke. However, data concerning infratentorial strokes are rare. We examined the size and evolution of acute brain stem ischemic lesions and their relationship to neurological outcome. METHODS: brain stem infarctions of 11 patients were analyzed. We performed DWI in all patients and in 7/11 patients within 24 h, T2W sequences within the first 2 weeks (10/11 patients) and follow-up MRI (MR2) within 3-9 months (median 4.8 months) later (12/12 patients). Lesion volumes were compared with early and follow-up neurologic deficit as determined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. RESULTS: the relative infarct volumes--with MR2 lesion size set to 100%--decreased over the time (P<0.02) with a mean shrinking factor of 3.3 between DWI (MR0) and the follow-up MRT (P<0.02), and 1.6 between early T2W (MR1) and MR2 (P<0.04). The mean DWI volume size (MR0) was larger than the early T2W (P<0.02). Although neurological outcome was good in all patients (mean NIHSS score of 1.3 at follow-up), early NIHSS and follow-up NIHSS scores were strongly correlated (r=0.9, P<0.00). NIHSS score at follow-up was highly correlated with lesion size of DWI (MR0; r=0.71, P<0.04) and T2W of MR1 (r=0.86, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: in this study, we saw a shrinking of the brain stem infarct volume according to clinical improvement of patients. Great extension of restricted diffusion in the acute stage does not necessarily implicate a large resulting infarction or a bad clinical outcome.     

Partial rescue of the perfusion deficit area by thrombolysis

PURPOSE: To investigate the evolution of the perfusion deficit area following systemic thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in a clinical study on acute cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed volumetric measurements of the acute ischemic lesions in MR images of perfusion (TTP, MTT, and rCBV) and in diffusion-weighted (DW) images, as well as the manifest stroke lesions in T2-weighted MR images on day 8. We compared the data of 29 patients who were subjected to systemic thrombolysis with those of 18 patients who were not eligible for thrombolysis. RESULTS: In the treated patients there were prominent MTT/DWI and TTP/DWI mismatches (P < 0.0006). The acute TTP volumes were smaller than the acute MTT volumes, but as large as the T2 lesions on day 8. The MTT/T2 lesion volume reduction was significant (P < 0.03) in patients who received the GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist tirofiban (N = 13) in addition to the low-dose rtPA. This corresponded to a greater neurological improvement compared to patients who received rtPA alone (P < 0.05). In contrast, in the nontreated patients the initial MTT and TTP lesion volumes were of similar magnitude and predicted the T2 lesions on day 8. In the treated and nontreated patients the TTP lesion signified the viability threshold of acute ischemia, which corresponded to a rCBF of 25 +/- 11 mL/100 g/min. CONCLUSION: The perfusion deficit area comprises the ischemic core that is destined to undergo necrosis, and an ischemic rim that is salvageable by systemic thrombolysis.     

Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging of cerebral ischemia in nonhuman primates: comparison of Gd-DTPA and NMS60

PURPOSE: To study a new gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent-NMS60-for MR perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) of brain tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NMS60 is a Gd3+ trimer with a molecular weight of 2158 Daltons, and a T2 relaxivity almost three times higher than that of Gd-DTPA. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was induced in nine nonhuman primates. The animals were scanned acutely and for up to six follow-up time points. PWI peak, and time-to-peak maps were generated, and perfusion deficit volumes were measured from these maps. The values of peak, time-to-peak, and perfusion deficit volume were compared between NMS60 and GD-DTPA. RESULTS: These results demonstrate that there was no significant difference in our calculated perfusion parameters between the two contrast agents. CONCLUSION: The two agents were found to be equally effective for PWI for acute and chronic stroke in primates. Along with its previously demonstrated advantage for T1-enhanced imaging, the current results show that NMS60 is a viable contrast agent for use in stroke patients.     

Temporal evolution of MR perfusion in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

PURPOSE: To illustrate the evolution of brain perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI-MRI) in severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy, and its possible relation to further neurodevelopmental outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two term neonates with HI encephalopathy underwent an early and a late MRI, including PWI. They were followed until eight months of age. A total of three "normal controls" were also included. Perfusion maps were obtained, and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cerebral blood volume (rCBV) values were measured. RESULTS: Compared to normal neonates, a hyperperfusion (increased rCBF and rCBV) was present on early scans in the whole brain. On late scans, hyperperfusion persisted in cortical gray matter (normalization of rCBF and rCBV ratios in white matter and basal ganglia, but not in cortical gray matter). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was normalized, and extensive lesions became visible on T2-weighted images. Both patients displayed very abnormal outcome: Patient 2 with the more abnormal early and late hyperperfusion being the worst. CONCLUSION: PWI in HI encephalopathy did not have the same temporal evolution as DWI, and remained abnormal for more than one week after injury. This could be a marker of an ongoing mechanism underlying severe neonatal HI encephalopathy. Evolution of PWI might help to predict further neurodevelopmental outcome.     

Leptomeningeal collateralization in acute ischemic stroke: Impact on prominent cortical veins in susceptibility-weighted imaging

Background

The extent of hypoperfusion is an important prognostic factor in acute ischemic stroke. Previous studies have postulated that the extent of prominent cortical veins (PCV) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) reflects the extent of hypoperfusion. Our aim was to investigate, whether there is an association between PCV and the grade of leptomeningeal arterial collateralization in acute ischemic stroke. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between SWI and perfusion-MRI findings.

Methods

33 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to a thromboembolic M1-segment occlusion underwent MRI followed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and were subdivided into two groups with very good to good and moderate to no leptomeningeal collaterals according to the DSA. The extent of PCV on SWI, diffusion restriction (DR) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and prolonged mean transit time (MTT) on perfusion-imaging were graded according to the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission and the time between symptom onset and MRI were documented.

Results

20 patients showed very good to good and 13 patients poor to no collateralization. PCV-ASPECTS was significantly higher for cases with good leptomeningeal collaterals versus those with poor leptomeningeal collaterals (mean 4.1 versus 2.69; p = 0.039). MTT-ASPECTS was significantly lower than PCV-ASPECTS in all 33 patients (mean 1.0 versus 3.5; p < 0.00).

Conclusions

In our small study the grade of leptomeningeal collateralization correlates with the extent of PCV in SWI in acute ischemic stroke, due to the deoxyhemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin ratio. Consequently, extensive PCV correlate with poor leptomeningeal collateralization while less pronounced PCV correlate with good leptomeningeal collateralization. Further SWI is a very helpful tool in detecting tissue at risk but cannot replace PWI since MTT detects significantly more ill-perfused areas than SWI, especially in good collateralized subjects.