大鼠超急性期脑缺血的磁共振扩散加权成像研究

目的：利用磁共振扩散加权成像（DWI）评价大鼠超急性期脑缺血的诊断价值。方法：12只Wistar雄性大鼠,采用线栓法制作右侧大脑中动脉闭塞（MCAO）脑缺血模型,分别于栓塞后1h和6h行大鼠冠状位磁共振DWI、T2WI和T1WI检查,并测量缺血区DWI异常高信号的体积、表观扩散系数（ADC）值,将所测值进行比较。磁共振检查结束后处死大鼠,断头取脑行TTC染色,并与DWI结果进行比较。结果：大鼠MCAO后1h进行MRI扫描右侧大脑中动脉供血区DWI可见异常稍高信号,ADC为低信号,T2WI和T1WI均未见异常信号;MCAO后6hDWI可见明显高信号,较1hADC值显著减低（P〈0.01）,DWI上梗死灶体积显著扩大（P〈0.01）,T2WI显示缺血区异常高信号,T1WI可见稍低信号。TTC染色者均显示脑梗死灶,与MCAO后6h的DWI显示脑缺血范围一致。结论：DWI对超急性期脑梗死较常规MRI敏感,是超急性期脑缺血重要的检查方法。     

Multimodal MR examination in acute ischemic stroke

In recent years, combined diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with perfusion imaging (PI) has become an important investigational tool in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, as it may differentiate reversible from irreversible brain tissue damage. We consecutively examined 20 subjects within 12 h of stroke onset using a multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) examination consisting of DWI, mean transit time (MTT) as PI parameter, and MR angiography (MRA). T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) on day 7 were also acquired in order to obtain final infarct volume. The following MR parameters were considered: volumetric measures of lesion growth and MTT abnormalities, quantification of regional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and visual inspection of MRA findings. Our results showed: (1) an acute DWI lesion was not predictive of lesion growth and the DWI abnormality did not represent the irreversibly infarcted tissue; (2) ADC values in the ischemic penumbra could not predict tissue at risk; (3) the DWI–PI mismatch did not predict lesion growth, and the PI abnormality overestimated the amount of tissue at risk; and (4) patients with proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion had greater initial and final infarct volumes. This study did not demonstrate the prognostic value of a multimodal MR approach in early ischemic stroke; MRA alone provided predictive information about the volumetric evolution of the lesion.     

Predicting cerebral ischemic infarct volume with diffusion and perfusion MR imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion and perfusion MR imaging have proved useful in the assessment of acute stroke. We evaluated the utility of these techniques in detecting acute ischemic infarction and in predicting final infarct size. METHODS: Diffusion and hemodynamic images were obtained in 134 patients within a mean of 12.3 hours of onset of acute ischemic stroke symptoms. We retrospectively reviewed patient radiology reports to determine the presence or absence of lesion identification on initial diffusion- (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) images. Radiologists were not blinded to the initial clinical assessment. For determination of sensitivity and specificity, the final discharge diagnosis was used as the criterion standard. Neurologists were not blinded to the DW or PW imaging findings. In 81 patients, acute lesions were compared with final infarct volumes. RESULTS: Sensitivities of DW imaging and cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and mean transit time (MTT) perfusion parameters were 94%, 74%, 84%, and 84%, respectively. Specificities of DW imaging, CBV, CBF, and MTT were 96%, 100%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. Results were similar in 93 patients imaged within 12 hours. In 81 patients with follow-up, regression analysis yielded r(2) = 0.9, slope = 1.24 for DW imaging; r(2) = 0.84, slope = 1.22 for CBV; r(2) = 0.35, slope = 0.44 for CBF; and r(2) = 0.22, slope = 0.32 for MTT, versus follow-up volume. A DW-CBV mismatch predicted additional lesion growth, whereas DW-CBF and DW-MTT mismatches did not. Results were similar in 60 patients imaged within 12 hours. CONCLUSION: Diffusion and hemodynamic images are sensitive and specific for detecting acute infarction. DW imaging and CBV best predict final infarct volume. DW-CBV mismatch predicts lesion growth into the CBV abnormality. CBF and MTT help identify additional tissue with altered perfusion but have lower correlation with final volume.     

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.     

超急性脑梗死再灌注弥散加权--灌注磁共振成像实验研究

目的　应用弥散 -灌注磁共振成像技术对改良线栓法建立的超急性脑梗死再灌注模型进行实验研究。明确该技术对超急性脑梗死再灌注的评价作用。方法　 90只SD大鼠 ,随机分成 5组 ,A组 ( 10只 )假手术做对照 ,其余按栓塞时间 3 0min、1、3、6h均分成B、C、D、E 4组 ;行DWI、PI和常规T2 WI、T1WI扫描 ;DWI和PI原始图像重建获得ADC、CBV、CBF、MTT参数形态图。观察各栓塞时间点再灌注 2、2 4h后各项参数变化。结果　A组DWI、PI成像无异常信号。B组再灌注 2hDWI高信号消失 ,ADC值恢复正常化 ( 88.2 7%± 1.92 % ) ,2 4h继发性ADC值降低和DWI高信号 ;C组再灌注 2h后ADC值轻度升高 ,2 4h明显降低 ;D、E组再灌注 2、2 4hADC值轻度降低或基本不变 ;各组再灌注后 2 4hDWI显示病灶范围无明显扩大。A、B组再灌注后PI各参数指标 (CBV、CBF、MTT)恢复和维持正常 ,而D、E组的信号强度 -时间曲线图有 3种表现 ,分别为高灌注、低灌注和正常灌注。结论　在超急性脑梗死中MCAo 3 0min再灌注后初次DWI异常信号消散是暂时的 ,以后会发生继发性DWI异常信号 ;再灌注可限制病灶进一步扩大 ,保护缺血半影区     

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.     

超急性脑梗死再灌注扩散加权-灌注磁共振成像及病理变化

目的应用扩散-灌注(DWI-PI)磁共振成像技术对改良线栓法建立的超急性脑梗死再灌注模型进行实验研究,并与病理结果对照.明确该技术对超急性脑梗死再灌注的评价作用.材料与方法 50只SD大鼠,随机分成5组,A组(10只)行假手术作对照,其余按栓塞时间30 min、1、3、6 h均分成B、C、D、E 4组;行DWI、PI和常规质子密度加权成像(PDWI)、T2WI、T1WI扫描;DWI和PI原始图像重建获得表观扩散系数(ADC)、脑血容量(CBV)、脑血流量(CBF)、平均通过时间(MTT)参数形态图.观察各栓塞时间点和再灌注2、24 h后各项参数变化,并将其结果与四氮唑红(TTC)染色和病理观察对比.结果 A组DWI、PI成像无异常信号,病理观察和TTC染色无变化.B组再灌注2 h DWI高信号消失,ADC值恢复正常化(88.27±1.92)%,24 h继发性ADC值降低和DWI高信号;C组再灌注2 h后ADC值轻度升高,24 h明显降低;D、E组再灌注2、24 h ADC值轻度降低或基本不变;各组再灌注后24 h DWI显示病灶范围无明显扩大.A、B组再灌注后PI各参数指标(CBV、CBF、MTT)恢复和维持正常,而D、E组的信号强度-时间曲线图有3种表现,分别为高灌注、低灌注和正常灌注.超急性脑梗死再灌注后DWI显示的缺血范围与TTC异常染色(白色)范围无显著性差异(方差分析,P＞0.05).结论在超急性脑梗死中大脑中动脉栓塞30 min再灌注后初次DWI异常信号消散是暂时的,以后会发生继发性DWI异常信号,再灌注后初次DWI异常信号消散区24 h后观察到神经元坏死;再灌注可限制病灶进一步扩大,保护缺血半影区.     

Rodent stroke induced by photochemical occlusion of proximal middle cerebral artery: evolution monitored with MR imaging and histopathology

PURPOSE: To longitudinally investigate stroke in rats after photothrombotic occlusion of proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in correlation with histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two rats were subjected to photochemical MCA occlusion and MRI at 1.5T, and sacrificed in seven groups (n=6 each) at the following time points: 1, 3, 6 and 12h, and at day 1, 3 and 9. T2-weighted (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was performed in all rats. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI) was compared to intravital staining with Evans blue in one group for assessing blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. The brain was stained histochemically with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and processed for pathological assessment. The evolutional changes of relative lesion volume, signal intensity (SI), and the BBB integrity on MRI with corresponding histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: The ischemic lesion volume reached a maximum around 12h to day 1 as visualized successively by DWI, ADC map and T2WI, implicating the evolving pathology from cytotoxic edema through vasogenic edema to tissue death. The ADC of brain infarction underwent a significant reversion after 12h, reflecting the colliquative necrosis. On CE-T1WI, BBB leakage peaked at 6h and at day 3 with a transitional partial recovery around 24h. The infarct volume on T2WI, DWI and ADC map matched well with that on TTC staining at 12h and at day 1 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The evolution of the present photothrombotic stroke model in rats could be characterized by MRI. The obtained information may help longitudinal studies of cerebral ischemia and anti-stroke agents using the same model.     

Unsupervised segmentation of multiparameter MRI in experimental cerebral ischemia with comparison to T2, diffusion, and ADC MRI parameters and histopathological validation

This study presents histological validation of an objective (unsupervised) computer segmentation algorithm, the iterative self-organizing data analysis technique (ISODATA), for analysis of multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in experimental focal cerebral ischemia. T2-, T1-, and diffusion (DWI) weighted coronal images were acquired from 4 to 168 hours after stroke on separate groups of animals. Animals were killed immediately after MRI for histological analysis. MR images were coregistered/warped to histology. MRI lesion areas were defined using DWI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, T2-weighted images, and ISODATA. The last techniques clearly discriminated between ischemia-altered and morphologically intact tissue. ISODATA areas were congruent and significantly correlated (r = 0.99, P < 0.05) with histologically defined lesions. In contrast, DWI, ADC, and T2 lesion areas showed no significant correlation with histologically evaluated lesions until subacute time points. These data indicate that multiparameter ISODATA methodology can accurately detect and identify ischemic cell damage early and late after ischemia, with ISODATA outperforming ADC, DWI, and T2-weighted images in identification of ischemic lesions from 4 to 168 hours after stroke.     

急性脑梗塞磁共振弥散加权成像的演变特征

目的：研究临床急性脑梗塞病变在弥散加权（DW）MRI上的表现规律。材料和方法：用单次激发平面回波弥散加权MRI和MRI其他技术对47例脑梗塞患者和14例非脑梗塞患者进行了对比研究。分别测量梗塞灶ACD图、DWI和T2WI的信号强度，绘出时间-信号强度图。分别在DWI和T2WI上测量梗塞面积．比较两者的关系。结果：急性脑梗塞发病后局部ACD逐渐降低．至12h达到峰值．以后逐渐升高。弥散加权MRI对急性脑梗塞病变非常敏感和特异，发病3h内T2WI为阴性，DW－MRI全部显示了梗塞灶；发病24h内T2WI所显示的梗塞灶面积明显小于DWI。发病7天内梗塞灶在DWI上与正常脑信号比均＞2．0．非脑梗塞病变均＜2．0。结论：急性脑梗塞病变在DW．MRI上有特征性演变规律，DW．MRI能快速、敏感、准确地诊断急性脑梗塞     

急性大脑中动脉阻塞模型的磁共振弥散成像及相关病理基础研究

目的观察兔大脑中动脉阻塞后常规MRI及DWI表现,阐明活体脑缺血后DWI的演变规律及其病理生理机制方法40只成年新西兰大白兔随机分成2组,对照组4只,实验组36只实验组采用Yamamoto法制作急性大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)模型,对照组仅曝露大脑中动脉,而不结扎观察MCAO后缺血区在各时段ADC值的变化规律,并进行病理学检查结果对照组:T2WI及DWI均无高信号出现,光镜检查均无异常改变实验组:DWI上,MCAO后0.5h基底节区出现高信号;T2WI最早于2h出现高信号,早期ADC值快速下降的病理基础是缺血后细胞内的水含量的增加;ADC值下降减慢及相对平台期的病理基础是血脑屏障破坏的逐渐加重及血管源性水肿的出现;而ADC值的上升的病理基础是细胞的死亡、溶解,血脑屏障的破坏结论早期的扩散异常区域并不意味着病灶已发生梗死,当持续缺血达6h以上,脑组织将产生不可逆的损伤     

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery preparation: not an improvement over conventional diffusion-weighted imaging at 3T in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Change in signal intensity due to acute ischemic stroke can be detected on diffusion-weighted (DW) images soon after symptom onset. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) DW imaging suppresses signal intensity from water and has been suggested to be better than conventional DW imaging as a diagnostic imaging technique in acute stroke. We compared the signal intensity-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) between ischemic and normal tissues by using these two sequences. METHODS: Twenty stroke patients underwent imaging less than 6 hours after stroke onset by using both acquisition methods. The SNR of six regions of interest in normal brain and one region in ischemic brain were compared on both DW imaging and FLAIR DW imaging. We also compared CNR in normal and ischemic tissues. The calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps from each acquisition technique were similarly assessed. RESULTS: The SNR was significantly lower for FLAIR DW imaging than for DW imaging (P < .05). The CNR between normal and ischemic tissue was also lower on FLAIR DW imaging (P < .05). SNR and CNR of the ADC maps were significantly different (P < .05) for all tissues except the putamen and white matter (for SNR and CNR) and globus pallidus (for CNR only). CONCLUSION: Ischemic tissue on FLAIR DW imaging was significantly less conspicuous than on DW imaging and potentially limits the clinical utility of this sequence.     

Association of early CT abnormalities, infarct size, and apparent diffusion coefficient reduction in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging is more sensitive for early ischemia than CT, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping permits quantification of the severity of cytotoxic edema. We examined the relationship between early CT findings, ischemic lesion volume on DW images, and edema subtype. METHODS: Patients in whom early signs of ischemia were detected on baseline CT scans were scored CT positive. Baseline DW lesion volumes were compared between the CT-positive and CT-negative patients. In CT-positive patients, we outlined the CT-positive part of the DW lesion and transferred these regions of interest to the corresponding DW sections. The ADC values of the outlined CT-positive areas were then compared with the ADC values of the CT-negative areas within patients. Lesions with significantly increased T2 hyperintensity were excluded to correct for the effect of early vasogenic edema on ADC measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with cerebral ischemia in whom both CT and DW imaging were performed within 8 hours of symptom onset were entered into the study. Patients with early CT signs of infarction (n = 12) had significantly larger DW lesion volumes than did patients without early CT abnormalities (mean volume, 62.8 versus 14.6 mL; P =. 002). In patients displaying early CT abnormalities, CT-positive regions of the DW lesion had lower relative ADC (rADC) values than did the CT-negative regions, when lesions with significant T2 hyperintensity were excluded (mean rADC, 0.65 versus 0.75; P =.037). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that early CT signs of infarction indicate more extensive and severe cerebral ischemia, as reflected by lower ADC.     

Combined perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke during the 1st week: a longitudinal study

PURPOSE: To compare findings with different magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion maps in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combined diffusion-weighted (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) MR imaging was performed in 49 patients with acute (<24 hours) stroke, on the 1st and 2nd days and 1 week after stroke. Volumes of hypoperfused tissue on maps of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and mean transit time (MTT) were compared with the volume of infarcted tissue at DW imaging. RESULTS: The mean infarct volume increased from 41 to 65 cm(3) between the 1st and 2nd days (P: <.001; n = 49). On the 1st day, all perfusion maps on average showed hypoperfusion lesions larger than the infarct at DW imaging (P: <.001; n = 49). MTT maps showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBF maps, which showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBV maps. The sizes of the initial perfusion-diffusion mismatches correlated significantly with the extent of infarct growth (0.479 < r < 0.657; P: 相似文献   

Usefulness of high-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging in acute cerebral infarction

The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of high-b-value diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging in patients with acute cerebral infarction. DW images at b-values of 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 s/mm² were performed for 32 patients 48 h after the onset of stroke using a 1.5 T clinical imager. The area of restricted diffusion became more distinct and extensive with increasing b-value in 19 of 32 patients, especially in patients with the atherothrombotic-type cerebral infarction. The visualized extent of infarction was almost the same among the area of restricted diffusion on the b=3,000 ADC map, b=3,000 DWI and final infarction in 12 of 15 patients. High-b-value DWI provided better identification of lesion extension in the cerebral ischemia. It is suggested that the size of the final infarction or irreversible cytotoxic edema is more predictable on high-b-value DWIs than on the usual b=1,000 DWI.     

Assessing tissue viability with MR diffusion and perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion- (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) MR imaging reflect neurophysiologic changes during stroke evolution. We sought to determine parameters that distinguish regions of brain destined for infarction from those that will survive despite hypoperfusion. METHODS: DW and PW images were obtained in 30 patients at 1-12 hours after symptom onset. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), flow (rCBF), mean transit time (MTT), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), DW image signal intensity, and fractional anisotropy (FA) lesion-contralateral normal region ratios were obtained in the following regions: 1) infarct core with hyperintensity on DW image, abnormality on rCBF and MTT images, and follow-up abnormality; 2) infarcted penumbra with normal DW image, abnormal rCBF and MTT images, and follow-up abnormality; and 3) hypoperfused tissue that remained viable, with normal DW image, abnormal rCBF and MTT images, and normal follow-up. RESULTS: rCBF ratios for regions 1, 2, and 3 were 0.32 +/- 0.11, 0.46 +/- 0.13, and 0.58 +/- 0.12, respectively, and were significantly different. DW image intensity and ADC ratios were significantly different among all regions, but were more similar than rCBF ratios. rCBV and FA ratios were not significantly different between regions 2 and 3. No MTT ratios were significantly different. No region of interest with an rCBF ratio less than 0.36, an rCBV ratio less than 0.53, an ADC ratio less than 0.85, a DW image intensity ratio greater than 1.23, or an FA ratio greater than 1.10 remained viable. No region of interest with an rCBF ratio greater than 0.79 infarcted. CONCLUSIONS: Differences among mean ratios of three regions investigated were greatest for the rCBF ratio. The rCBF ratio may be the most useful parameter in differentiating viable tissue that is likely to infarct without intervention, from tissue that will survive despite hypoperfusion. ADC, DW intensity, FA, and rCBV ratios may provide adjunctive information.     

Do Transient Ischemic Attacks with Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Abnormalities Correspond to Brain Infarctions?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) changes associated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) are reversible or correspond to permanent tissue injury. METHODS: Among 103 consecutive patients admitted for TIA, 36 (34.9%) had abnormalities on initial DWI (delay from TIA = 30 +/- 33 hours [mean +/- SD]). Thirty-three patients (59 DWI lesions) had an MR imaging follow-up (delay from TIA = 10.6 +/- 5 months) including fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T2, DWI, and 3D T1-weighted sequences. For each lesion, we recorded the quantitative parameters on initial DWI (volume, apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]) and performed a comparison between reversible and irreversible lesions. RESULTS: MR imaging failed to detect any permanent injury in 7 patients and identified subsequent infarct in regions corresponding to the original DWI abnormalities in 26 patients (79%). Of the 59 lesions initially identified on DWI, 45 (76.3%) were associated with permanent injury on follow-up MR imaging. The DWI volume was significantly larger (0.91 +/- 1.7 versus 0.21 +/- 0.21 cm(3), P = .003) and the ADC ratio values lower (79 +/- 15% versus 91 +/- 9%, P = .001) in lesions with subsequent infarct than in those that were fully reversible. CONCLUSION: By showing that most patients with DWI-positive TIAs share the same imaging outcome as stroke patients, our data provide additional support for the redefinition of TIA, which considers that all cases of transient deficit with characteristic neuroimaging abnormalities should be diagnosed as a stroke.     

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.     

Evolution of apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion-weighted, and T2-weighted signal intensity of acute stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Serial study of such MR parameters as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), ADC with fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (ADC(FLAIR)), and T2-weighted imaging may provide information on the pathophysiological mechanisms of acute ischemic stroke. Our goals were to establish the natural evolution of MR signal intensity characteristics of acute ischemic lesions and to assess the potential of using specific MR parameters to estimate lesion age. METHODS: Five serial echo-planar DWI studies with and without an inversion recovery pulse were performed in 27 patients with acute stroke. The following lesion characteristics were studied: 1) conventional ADC (ADC(CONV)); 2) ADC(FLAIR); 3) DWI signal intensity (SI(DWI)); 4) T2-weighted signal intensity (SI(T2)), and 5) FLAIR signal intensity (SI(FLAIR)). RESULTS: The lesion ADC(CONV) gradually increased from low values during the first week to pseudonormal during the second week to supranormal thereafter. The lesion ADC(FLAIR) showed the same pattern of evolution but with lower absolute values. A low ADC value indicated, with good sensitivity (88%) and specificity (90%), that a lesion was less than 10 days old. All signal intensities remained high throughout follow-up. SI(DWI) showed no significant change during the first week but decreased thereafter. SI(T2) initially increased, decreased slightly during week 2, and again increased after 14 days. SI(FLAIR) showed the same initial increase as the SI(T2) but remained relatively stable thereafter. CONCLUSION: Our findings further clarify the time course of stroke evolution on MR parameters and indicate that the ADC map may be useful for estimating lesion age. Application of an inversion recovery pulse results in lower, potentially more accurate, absolute ADC values.     

Hyperacute ischemic stroke: middle cerebral artery susceptibility sign at echo-planar gradient-echo MR imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of echo-planar T2*-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) sequences in detection of acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombotic occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients with stroke involving the MCA territory underwent MR imaging within 6 hours after clinical onset. MR examination included echo-planar T2*-weighted, diffusion-weighted (DW), and perfusion-weighted (PW) imaging and MR angiography. Presence or absence of the susceptibility sign on echo-planar T2*-weighted images, which is indicative of acute thrombotic occlusion involving MCA or ICA, was assessed in consensus by two observers blinded to clinical information and other MR imaging data. Differences in lesion volume on DW and PW images between patients with and those without the susceptibility sign were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney test. P <.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. RESULTS: Thirty patients (71%) had a positive susceptibility sign that correlated with MCA or ICA occlusion at MR angiography in all cases (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 100%). Mean lesion volume on PW images was higher in patients with a positive susceptibility sign (P =.01), but no significant differences were found in mean lesion volume on DW images. Cases in which the susceptibility sign was identified proximal to MCA divisional bifurcation (27 patients) showed a mean perfusion deficit of 83.9% of the total MCA territory (range, 50%-100%). CONCLUSION: Presence of the susceptibility sign proximal to MCA bifurcation provides fast and accurate detection of acute proximal MCA or ICA thrombotic occlusion.