Radiological Assessment of Aphasia Outcome: A Case Report

Abstract

Background Stroke is a leading cause of major adult disability, and aphasia is one of the most common consequences of stroke. It has been reported that 21%–38% of patients with stroke have aphasia in the acute stage. Case presentation A 64- year old Egyptian male diagnosed with recent ischemic stroke in the form of the form of inability to express himself in spoken words; Broca’s aphasia. Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) was done to assess the integrity of the arcuate fasciculus in the acute stage as a method to predict the possible outcome of the patient aphasia. DTT showed affection of broca’s territory of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) and it could be reconstructed measured by fractionated anisotropy (0.469). The patient initial aphasia test measured (47). Three months later, the patient improved and follow up aphasia test measured (74.4). Results Reconstruction of the arcuate fasciculus by DTT in the early stage of aphasia as shown in our patient carries a good clinical prognosis. Our patient aphasia improved markedly at 3 months follow up visit. Conclusion DTT could be a helpful tool to assess the outcome of aphasia at the early stage of acute ischemic stroke.