Time course of cerebral infarction in the middle cerebral arterial territory: deep watershed versus territorial subtypes on diffusion-weighted MR images

PURPOSE: To examine possible differences between the evolution of cerebral watershed infarction (WI) and that of territorial thromboembolic infarction (TI) by using diffusion-weighted (DW) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with TI and nine with WI underwent MR imaging from the acute to chronic infarction stages. ADC maps were derived from DW images. Lesion-to-normal tissue signal intensity ratios on ADC maps (rADC), echo-planar T2-weighted images, and DW images were calculated. Lesion volumes at acute or early subacute infarction stages were measured on DW images, and final lesion volumes were estimated on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery images. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in temporal evolution patterns of rADC between WI and TI (P <.001). rADC pseudonormalization following TI began about 10 days after symptom onset, but that following WI did not occur until about 1 month after symptom onset. The Pearson correlation coefficient between final and initial infarct volumes was 0.9899 for both infarction subtypes, indicating that the initial ischemic injury volume measured at the acute or early subacute stage predicted the final lesion volume fairly well. CONCLUSION: The evolution time of ADC is faster for TI than for WI. This difference, which likely originates from the different pathophysiologic and hemodynamic features of the two infarction types, might account for the relatively large range of ADC values reported for the time course of ischemic strokes.     

CT perfusion parameter values in regions of diffusion abnormalities

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dynamic CT perfusion imaging is a rapid and widely available method for assessing cerebral hemodynamics in the setting of ischemia. Nevertheless, little is known about perfusion parameters within regions of diffusion abnormality. Since MR diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging is widely considered the most sensitive and specific technique to examine the ischemic core, new knowledge about CT perfusion findings in areas of abnormal diffusion would likely provide valuable information. The purpose of our study was to measure the CT-derived perfusion values within acute ischemic lesions characterized by 1) increased signal intensity on DW images and 2) decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and compare these values with those measured in contralateral, normal brain tissue. METHODS: Analysis was performed in 10 patients with acute middle cerebral artery territory stroke of symptom onset less than 8 hours before imaging who had undergone both CT perfusion and DW imaging within 2 hours. After registration of CT perfusion and DW images, measurements were made on a pixel-by-pixel basis in regions of abnormal hyperintensity on DW images and in areas of decreased ADC. RESULTS: Significant decreases in cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume with elevated mean transit times were observed in regions of infarct as defined by increased signal intensity on DW images and decreased ADC. Comparison of perfusion parameters in regions of core infarct differed significantly from those measured in contralateral normal brain. CONCLUSION: CT perfusion findings of decreased cerebral blood flow, mean transit time, and cerebrovascular volume correlate with areas of abnormal hyperintensity on DW images and regions of decreased ADC. These findings provide important information about perfusion changes in acute ischemia in areas of diffusion abnormality.     

ADC值和rADC值在脑星形细胞瘤分级诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨ADC值和rADC值在脑星形细胞瘤分级诊断中的应用价值。方法经手术病理证实的36例脑星形细胞瘤患者术前除常规MR I检查外,还做了DW I扫描,着重对肿瘤瘤体及瘤周水肿带的ADC值和rADC值进行了测算和分析。结果低级星形细胞瘤瘤体的ADC值和rADC值明显高于高级星形细胞瘤(P<0.01),且前者瘤周水肿带的ADC值和rADC值也高于后者(P<0.05);星形细胞瘤瘤体的ADC值和rADC值与肿瘤的恶性度存在显著负相关(r值分别为-0.845和-0.648,P值均<0.01);瘤周水肿带的ADC值和rADC值也与肿瘤的恶性度呈负相关(r值分别为-0.607和-0.477,P值均<0.05)。结论ADC值和rADC值在脑星形细胞瘤术前分级诊断中具有重要价值。     

Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke: role of diffusion-weighted imaging and early parenchymal enhancement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging may help in predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke. Our purpose was to determine whether the lesion volumes on diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and early parenchymal enhancement are predictive of HT and to investigate the mechanism of the enhancement. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 55 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging within 6 hours of symptom onset and follow-up CT or MR imaging within 72 hours. Intravenous thrombolysis was performed in 15 patients. DW imaging lesion volumes and ADC values were compared between patients with and those without HT. ADCs and perfusion parameters were compared between lesions with and those without parenchymal enhancement. RESULTS: Nineteen (34.5%) patients had HT (14 with hemorrhagic infarction, five with parenchymal hematoma). Patients with HT had decreased mean ADCs and large lesion volumes on DW imaging, but differences were not significant (P > .05). HT occurred in five patients (100%) with parenchymal enhancement, which corresponded to the site of HT. In enhancing lesions, the ADC ratio (0.76 +/- 0.06) was slightly higher and the delay in time to peak (0.10 +/- 2.79) was less than respective values in the rest of the ischemic lesion (0.66 +/- 0.06 and 8.79 +/- 4.86, respectively; P = .068). CONCLUSION: Early parenchymal enhancement is highly specific for HT and may be associated with early reperfusion and damage to the blood-brain barrier in ischemic tissue. DW imaging lesion volumes and ADC values had no strong relationship with HT.     

Diffusion-weighted imaging with navigated interleaved echo-planar imaging and a conventional gradient system.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the technical feasibility and precision of a navigated diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging method with interleaved echo-planar imaging and test its diagnostic sensitivity for detection of ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were performed in phantoms, and six healthy adult volunteers were examined to determine intrasubject (precision) and intersubject (reference range) variations in absolute ADC and relative ADC (rADC) measurements. DW imaging maps and lesion rADC values were also obtained in 34 consecutive stroke patients to evaluate the sensitivity and reliability of DW-interleaved echo-planar imaging for detection of ischemic brain damage. RESULTS: Phantom and volunteer ADC values were in excellent agreement with published data. The intrasubject variation of rADC was 6.2%. The ADC precision ranged from 6.5% in the subcortical white matter in the frontal lobe to 12.9% in the head of the caudate nucleus. Interleaved echo-planar imaging enabled rapid acquisition of high-quality images of the entire brain without substantial artifacts. Within the 1st week, the sensitivity of DW-interleaved echo-planar imaging for detection of acute infarction was 90% (18 of 20 true-positive studies) and independent of lesion location. CONCLUSION: DW-interleaved echo-planar imaging with phase navigation and cardiac triggering is robust, reliable, and fast. With high sensitivity for detection of early ischemic infarction, it is useful for examining stroke patients by using MR systems with conventional gradient hardware.     

Ischemic stroke: effects of etiology and patient age on the time course of the core apparent diffusion coefficient

PURPOSE: To determine whether the evolution of the core apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in ischemic stroke varies with patient age or infarct etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-seven patients with stroke underwent 236 diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Etiologies of lesions were classified according to predefined criteria; in 224 images, the diagnosis of lacune could be firmly established or excluded. ADC was measured in the center of each lesion and in contralateral normal-appearing brain. A model was used to describe the time course of relative ADC (rADC), which is calculated by dividing the lesion ADC by the contralateral ADC, and to test for age- or etiology-related differences in this time course. RESULTS: Transition from decreasing to increasing rADC was estimated at 18.5 hours after stroke onset. In subgroup analysis, transition was earlier in nonlacunes than in lacunes (P =.02). There was a trend toward earlier transition in patients older than the median age of 66.0 years, compared with younger patients (P =.06). Pseudonormalization was estimated at 216 hours. Among nonlacunes, the rate of subsequent rADC increase was more rapid in younger patients than in older patients (P =.001). Within the smaller sample of lacunes, however, no significant age-related difference in this rate was found. CONCLUSION: Differences in ADC depending on the patient's age and infarct etiology suggest differing rates of ADC progression.     

Serial analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient time course in human stroke

Acute cerebral ischemic injury can be rapidly detected on diffusion-weighted images. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) depends on the stage of cytotoxic edema and water content in the infarcted parenchyma. The purpose of this study is to determine the time course of ADC during the first days of ischemic stroke. These data should make it possible to distinguish between multiple stroke and a single progressive infarction. Eight patients with clinically diagnosed acute cerebral ischemia were examined by diffusion-weighted MRI from 2 to 20 h after onset of symptoms. Daily control scans were performed for up to 10 days. ADC values were analyzed from 55 MRI studies. Furthermore, ADC was measured in the tissue which showed a hyperintense signal at the first examination and in the contralateral tissue. White and gray matter were analyzed separately. Data were expressed as the ratio ADC (rADC) of lesion to control region of interest. All patients showed a uniform reduction in rADC from the first hours of stroke and decreasing to the 3rd day. The rADC increased again from the 4th day up to the point of pseudo-normalization on day 9. The gray matter showed a slightly faster increase than the white matter. rADC shows significant changes in the first days after stroke, following a rather uniform time course. Together with T2-weighted MRI this makes it possible to differentiate between hyperacute, acute, and chronic stroke. Furthermore, the age of an ischemia can be determined and multiple strokes can be distinguished from a single progressive stroke.     

磁共振扩散加权成像对恶性胶质瘤及脑转移瘤瘤周水肿的鉴别诊断价值

目的 探讨磁共振扩散加权成像(DWI)对恶性胶质瘤及脑转移瘤瘤周水肿的鉴别诊断价值.资料与方法 42例恶性胶质瘤(Ⅲ级及Ⅲ级以上)和32例脑转移瘤,所有病例均行T_1WI、T_2WI、T_1WI Gd-DTPA增强扫描和DWI检查,均经病理或临床证实.分析肿瘤的边缘特征并测量瘤周近、远侧水肿带的表观扩散系数(ADC)和相对表观扩散系数(rADC).用统计分析软件SPSS 14.0分别对ADC值和rADC值进行统计学分析,统计结果均以哥x±s表示,P<0.05为差异有统计学意义,P>0.05为差异无统计学意义.结果 DWI上36例恶性胶质瘤边缘毛糙,其中27例呈"晕"状改变;28例脑转移瘤边缘清楚,4例稍毛糙但无"晕"状改变.恶性胶质瘤近瘤水肿带的ADC.值及rADC值分别为(1.44±0.15)×10~(-3)mm~2/s和2.01 ±0.24,远瘤水肿带分别为(1.81±0.21)×10-3mm2/s和2.49±0.33.脑转移瘤近瘤水肿带的ADC值及rADC值分别为(1.70±0.22)×10~(-3)mm~2/s和2.43±0.44,远瘤水肿带分别为(1.81±0.18)×10~(-3)mm~2/s和2.54±0.41.恶性胶质瘤和脑转移瘤近瘤水肿带的ADC值和rADC值之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),而远瘤水肿带间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.1);恶性胶质瘤近、远瘤水肿带的ADC值和rADC值之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);脑转移瘤近、远瘤水肿带的ADC值和rADC值之间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.1).结论 在DWI上,恶性胶质瘤和脑转移瘤瘤周近、远侧水肿带的ADC值及rADC值的统计学分析以及它们的边缘特征对两者的鉴别诊断具有重要价值.     

Apparent diffusion coefficient value of the hippocampus in patients with hippocampal sclerosis and in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has had widespread use clinically in a variety of intracranial diseases; however, only a few studies report ADC changes in patients with hippocampal sclerosis. We sought to determine the ability of ADC to lateralize the epileptogenic lesion in patients with hippocampal sclerosis. METHODS: Nineteen healthy volunteers and 18 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy whose MR imaging diagnosis was unilateral hippocampal sclerosis were examined prospectively with DW imaging and ADC mapping. DW images were obtained at 1.5 T with a spin-echo echo-planar sequence (6500/103 [TR/TE]) with variable diffusion gradients. ADCs were calculated from bilateral hippocampi. The ability of DW imaging and ADC to lateralize the lesion was evaluated visually and by comparing ADC values between healthy volunteers and patients with hippocampal sclerosis. RESULTS: In all patients, visual assessment of DW images failed to lateralize the lesion. However, the mean ADC value measured at the hippocampal area was significantly higher on the lesion side than on the contralateral side (P <.001). The overall correct lateralization rate of ADC was 100% (18 of 18 patients). Mean ADC in sclerotic hippocampi was also significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers. The normal-appearing hippocampus of the contralateral side in the patients had higher ADC values compared with those of healthy volunteers (P =.045). CONCLUSION: ADC can be used as a complementary tool in lateralizing the epileptogenic lesion in patients with hippocampal sclerosis, although the practical role of ADC value is yet to be determined in patients with inconclusive MR imaging findings.     

Intracranial epidermoid cysts: diffusion-weighted, FLAIR and conventional MR findings

PURPOSE: To compare diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (DW) with spin-echo (SE), and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences in the evaluation of epidermoid cysts (ECs), and to evaluate T2 shine-through effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients were imaged prospectively in two different 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) units with standard head coils with SE, FLAIR and DW echo planar imaging sequences. The qualitative and quantitative assessments were performed by two radiologists in consensus. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained from all ECs. Exponential DW images are obtained in 11 cases to eliminate T2 shine-through effects. The results are analyzed with variance analysis (ANOVA) and Bonferroni t method. RESULTS: FLAIR sequence was superior to T1- and T2-weighted sequences in showing ECs. In 13 cases, the borders of the lesions could be delineated from the surrounding structures with only DW imaging where ECs were markedly hyperintense. The ADC values of ECs are significantly lower than CSF (P < 0.001), and significantly higher than deep white matter (P < 0.01). On exponential DW images, ECs had similar intensity with brain parenchyma showing that the real cause of the hyperintensity of the lesions on trace images is the enhanced T2 effect of the tissue. CONCLUSION: FLAIR sequence is superior to the conventional MR sequences in demonstrating the ECs and DW imaging is superior to other MR sequences in delineating the borders of the ECs. Exponential DW images had shown that the hyperintensity in the trace images are caused by increased T2 effect of the lesion rather than the decrease in ADC values.     

急性脑缺血表观扩散系数成像的实验研究

用改良的线栓法大脑中动脉阻塞模型,探讨急性脑缺血及再灌注的表现扩散系数成像特点。方法：２０只ＳＤ大白鼠,分为４组：Ａ组（８只）,非再通组,Ｂ、Ｃ、Ｄ组（各４只）,分别于ＭＣＡＯ３０ｍｉｎ、１ｈ、２ｈ后再通,于不同时间点作ＡＤＣ成像和Ｔ２ＷＩ,并测量感兴趣区的ＡＤＣ、相对ＡＤＣ（ｒＡＤＣ）。结果：ＭＣＡＯ后１５ｍｉｎ好出现缺血区ＡＤＣ下降,而Ｔ２ＷＩ最早在栓塞后２ｈ出现异常。６ｈ内缺血区,ＡＤＣ及ｒ     

Temporal changes in perihematomal apparent diffusion coefficient values during the transition from acute to subacute phases in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Introduction

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) studies focusing on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) abnormalities have provided conflicting results about the nature and fate of perihematomal edema.

Methods

We investigated 35 patients with supratentorial spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) by using DWI scanning obtained at 48 h and 7 days after symptom onset. Regional ADC (rADC) values were measured in three manually outlined regions of interest: (1) the perihematomal hyperintense area, (2) 1 cm of normal appearing brain tissue surrounding the perilesional hyperintense rim, and (3) a mirror area, including the clot and the perihematomal region, located in the contralateral hemisphere.

Results

rADC mean levels were lower at 7 days than at 48 h in each ROI (p?<?0.00001), showing a progressive normalization of initial vasogenic values. Perihematomal vasogenic rADC values were more frequent (p?<?0.00001) at 48 h than at 7 days, whereas perihematomal cytotoxic and normal rADC levels were more represented (p?<?0.02 and p?<?0.001, respectively) at 7 days than at 48 h. A neurological worsening was more frequent (p?<?0.02) in patients with than in those without perihematomal cytotoxic rADC values at 7 days.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the transition from acute to subacute phases after SICH is characterized by a progressive resolution of perihematomal vasogenic edema associated with an increase in cytotoxic ADC values. In the subset of patients with perihematomal cytotoxic rADC levels in subacute stage after bleeding, irreversible damage development seems to be related to poor clinical outcome.     

Reversed discrepancy between CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether an early CT ischemic lesion showing parenchymal hypoattenuation might be undetectable on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in acute cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated CT and MR images of 70 consecutive patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. All patients underwent CT and MR imaging within 6 hours of symptom onset. We determined the presence of reversed discrepancy (RD), defined as an early ischemic lesion showing parenchymal hypoattenuation on CT but no hyperintensity on DWI. CT Hounsfield units (HU), apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), and perfusion parameters were calculated for RD lesions. RESULTS: RD was found in 9 (12.9%) patients and at basal ganglia (89%). The mean HU of RD lesion was lower than that of normal tissue (DeltaHU, 2.33 +/- 0.74, P < .001). RD lesions showed no significant decrease of ADC (ADC ratio, 0.97 +/- 0.07, P = .059) and cerebral blood flow (relative CBF, 0.87 +/- 0.20, P > 0.05). Delayed DWI hyperintensity occurred in 8 (88.8%) RD lesions, and all lesions progressed to infarction. In 6 (66%) of 9 patients with RD, Alberto Stroke Program Early CT scores of ischemic lesions were lower on CT than those on DWI. CONCLUSION: RD was uncommonly found mainly in basal ganglia, and all RD lesions progressed to infarction at follow-up. Early CT ischemic lesion showing parenchymal hypoattenuation may be undetectable on DWI, and DWI may underestimate extent of severe ischemic tissue in patients with acute MCA infarction.     

(11)C]Choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging and restaging of patients with advanced prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate [(11)C]Choline positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for staging and restaging of patients with advanced prostate cancer and to compare the diagnostic performance of PET, CT and PET/CT. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients with advanced prostate cancer underwent [(11)C]Choline-PET/CT between 5/2004 and 2/2006. RESULTS: Overall, 295 lesions were detected: PET alone, 178 lesions; diagnostic CT, 221 lesions; PET/CT (low-dose CT), 272 lesions; PET/CT (diagnostic CT), 295 lesions. Two thirds of the lesions were located in the bone; one third in the prostate, lymph nodes, periprostatic tissue and soft tissue (lung, liver). The use of diagnostic CT did not result in a statistically significant difference with respect to lesion localization certainty and lesion characterization (P=.063, P=.063). PET-negative but PET/CT-positive lesions were mostly localized in the bone (78%, 91/117) as were PET-positive and CT-negative lesions (72%, 53/74). Of the latter, 91% (48/53) represented bone marrow and 9% (5/53) cortical involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Staging and restaging with [(11)C]Choline PET/CT in patients with advanced prostate cancer improve the assessment of local and regional recurrent as well as metastatic disease including skeletal manifestations. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT (with a low-dose CT) results in improved localization and lesion characterization. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT provides an added value for skeletal manifestations. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT changed disease management in 11 (24%) of 45 patients with advanced prostate cancer.     

Evolution of water diffusion and anisotropy in hyperacute stroke: significant correlation between fractional anisotropy and T2

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We hypothesized that, in acute cerebral ischemic stroke, anisotropic diffusion increases if T2 signal intensity is not substantially elevated and decreases once T2 hyperintensity becomes apparent. Our purpose was to correlate fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements with the clinical time of stroke onset, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC), and T2 signal intensity. METHODS: Tensor diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) of 25 patients were obtained within 12 hours of symptom onset. Trace DWIs, ADCs, FAs, and echo-planar T2-weighted images (T2WI) were generated. Stroke and contralateral normal volumes of interest (VOIs) were outlined on DWIs and projected onto the inherently coregistered ADC map, FA map, and echo-planar T2WI. Mean signal intensity of the ischemic and contralateral normal VOIs were compared for relatives change in ADC, FA, and signal intensity on T2WIs. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was observed between FA and T2 signal-intensity change (r = -0.61, P =.00009). A trend of correlation between FA signal intensity and time of onset were found (r = -0.438, P =.025). No significant correlation was found between ADC and FA values (r = -0.302, P =.134). The mean ADC reduction in the ipsilateral ischemic volume was 31% +/- 11 compared with the contralateral normal side. CONCLUSION: Change in FA is inversely correlated with T2 signal intensity and, to a lesser extent, the time of onset, but it is not well correlated with ADC values in the acute stage.     

针刺改善急性脑缺血后脑白质损伤的DTI研究

目的:通过DTI评价针刺改善脑白质缺血损伤的有效性。方法:8例经DWI序列扫描证实有单侧急性脑白质梗死的患者,随机分成针刺组和无针刺组进行治疗,各4例,分别于治疗后第1、2、3个月末行常规MRI和DTI检查。DTI原始图像经后处理获得各向异性分数(fractional anisotropy,FA)、ADC和纤维示踪成像图。根据DWI图像,分别于缺血白质区域和对侧同名纤维束镜像区域取正常ROI,测量FA值和ADC值后,计算比值并进行比较。结果:治疗2个月末和3个月末,针刺组急性脑缺血患者损伤脑白质的ADC比值显著低于无针刺组(t=2.459,P=0.01;t=1.889,P=0.036)。首诊、1个月末的2组ADC和FA比值以及2个月末、3个月末2组FA比值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),纤维示踪成像显示缺血区域脑白质较正常区域分离、稀疏、缺失。结论:DTI技术可显示针刺对急性脑缺血患者脑白质损伤的改善,其中ADC比值为主要参考指标。     

Diffusion-weighted imaging in the follow-up of treated high-grade gliomas: tumor recurrence versus radiation injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging is a means to characterize and differentiate morphologic features, including edema, necrosis, and tumor tissue, by measuring differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). We hypothesized that DW imaging has the potential to differentiate recurrent or progressive tumor growth from treatment-induced damage to brain parenchyma in high-grade gliomas after radiation therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed follow-up conventional and DW MR images obtained starting 1 month after completion of radiation treatment with or without chemotherapy for histologically proved high-grade gliomas. Eighteen patients with areas of abnormal enhancing tissue were identified. ADC maps were calculated from echo-planar DW images, and mean ADC values and ADC ratios (ADC of enhancing lesion to ADC of contralateral white matter) were compared with final diagnosis. Recurrence was established by histologic examination or by clinical course and a combination of imaging studies. RESULTS: Recurrence and nonrecurrence could be differentiated by using mean ADC values and ADC ratios. ADC ratios in the recurrence group showed significantly lower values (mean +/- SD, 1.43 +/- 0.11) than those of the nonrecurrence group (1.82 +/- 0.07, P <.001). Mean ADCs of the recurrent tumors (mean +/- SD, 1.18 +/- 0.13 x 10(-3) mm/s(2)) were significantly lower than those of the nonrecurrence group (1.40 +/- 0.17 x 10(-3) mm/s(2), P <.006). CONCLUSION: Assessment of ADC ratios of enhancing regions in the follow-up of treated high-grade gliomas is useful in differentiating radiation effects from tumor recurrence or progression.     

ADC值和相对ADC鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的价值

目的探讨ADC值和相对ADC(relative ADC,rADC)鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的价值。方法回顾性分析2011年1月~2018年12月济宁医学院附属医院通过病理或活检证实的乳腺病变,其中良性病变组31例,恶性病变组41例,测量病变区ADC值及其周围正常腺体ADC值,并计算rADC(病变ADC值/周围正常腺体ADC值),将良性病变组ADC值和恶性病变组ADC值;良性病变组rADC和恶性病变组rADC分别做独立样本t检验,比较组间差异,并绘制ROC曲线。结果良性病变组ADC(1.33±0.24)×10^-3 mm²/s,恶性病变组ADC(0.94±0.25)×10^-3 mm²/s(t=-6.755,P<0.001);良性病变组rADC 0.71±0.12,恶性病变组rADC 0.50±0.12,(t=-7.389,P<0.001)。ADC值最佳诊断分界点为1.264×10^-3 mm²/s,ROC曲线下面积为0.856,灵敏度为80.5%,特异度为80.7%,rADC最佳诊断分界点为0.624,ROC曲线下面积为0.893,灵敏度为85.4%,特异度为90.3%。结论ADC值、rADC可以鉴别乳腺良恶性病变,rADC的诊断准确性更高。     

Evidence for cytotoxic edema in the pathogenesis of cerebral venous infarction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of cerebral venous infarction (CVI) remains controversial, with uncertainty over whether cytotoxic edema plays a role. Recent animal studies have shown that cytotoxic edema reliably occurs in acute CVI and precedes the onset of vasogenic edema. Our hypothesis was that cytotoxic edema would also occur in acute human CVI and would be detectable as an area of restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted images. METHODS: Twelve subjects with acute cerebral venous thrombosis confirmed by MR venography underwent both conventional MR and echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (maximum diffusion sensitivity [b=1000 s/mm(2)]). Images were examined for areas of CVI that were identified as T2 hyperintensity, diffusion hyperintensity, or hemorrhage. The percent change in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 signal as well as the T2/diffusion volume were calculated within areas of edematous CVI. Regression techniques were used to examine the relationship of these variables to symptom duration. RESULTS: Ten regions of CVI were detected in seven subjects, all showing T2 hyperintensity. Two of these regions were predominantly hemorrhagic and did not display diffusion hyperintensity. The remaining eight regions displayed diffusion hyperintensity that was associated with a decreased ADC. ADC values increased with symptom duration (r(2) = 0.96; P <.006). Both T2 hyperintensity and T2/diffusion volume peaked approximately 2 days after symptom onset. CONCLUSION: Restricted water diffusion suggesting cytotoxic edema is commonly found in subjects with acute CVI and decreases over time. This supports an important etiologic role for cytotoxic edema in the pathogenesis of CVI.     

Value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute cervical cord injury as a predictor of outcome

Introduction We analyzed the findings of diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging using the single-shot fast spin-echo sequence in acute cervical cord injury and evaluated the usefulness of this method for predicting the prognosis.Methods Our patient group comprised 14 patients examined 2 h to 3 days after injury. First, we visually evaluated the DW imaging findings in all patients. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were also assessed in 13 patients. Second, we assessed follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) examinations obtained in six patients whose DW images showed hyperintensity. Third, we reviewed the functional outcome at discharge.Results The lesions showed hyperintensity in ten patients, and no abnormal signal was noted in the remaining four patients. The ADC maps showed restricted diffusion in all patients with hyperintensity on DW imaging except in one patient for whom the ADC map was unavailable. Repeated MR examinations obtained in six of the ten patients showed either myelomalacia or exacerbation. Seven of the ten patients (70%) required assistance and the other three were independent. Among the four patients without hyperintensity on DW imaging, three (75%) were independent and only one required assistance.Conclusion DW imaging in acute cervical cord injury often reveals restricted diffusion. This finding may predict an unfavorable functional prognosis.