Correlation between changes of diffusion tensor imaging and clinical stages in patients with cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the changes of diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and the clinical stages in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods One hundred and seven patients with cerebral infarction were chosen to perform conventional MRI and DTI,respectively.With double-blind method,the signal intensity of fractional anisotropy(FA)and isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCiso)in responsible to infraction regions was observed and based on their results,the relationships between the changes of DTI and the clinical stages were analyzed. Results In 29 cases of cerebral infarction in acute stage,10 were manifested as type I(hypointensity on ADCiso map,hyperintensity on FA map)and type Ⅱ(hypointensity on ADCiso map and FA map with hyper intensive circumference)on DTI;3 were manifested as type Ⅲ on DTI(iso-/Paypo-intensity on ADCiso map and FA map with normal circumference);6 were manifested as type Ⅳ on DTI(hyperintensity on ADCiso map,hypointensity on FA map).In 34 cases of cerebral infarction in sub-acute stage,2 were manifested astype Ⅰ on DTI;20 were manifested astype Ⅱ;8 were manifested as type Ⅲ and 4 were manifested as type IV.In 44 cases of cerebral infarction chronic stage.1 Was manifested as type Ⅱ on DTI;2 were manifested as type Ⅲ and 41 were manifested as type IV.Positive correlation was found between changes of DTI and clinical stages(r=0.693,P=0.000). Conclusion The intensity of infraction on DTI can directly demonstrate the clinical stages,providing precise evidence for classifying the stages of cerebral infarction. Key words: Cerebral infraction; Diffusion tensor imaging; Clinical stage