The relationships between diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy within cerebral peduncles and outcomes among patients with hemiparesis due to cerebral infarction

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy (FA) within cerebral peduncles and outcomes among patients with hemiparesis due to cerebral infarction. Diffusion-tensor FA brain images were acquired 14–21 days after cerebral infarction. The ratio of FA values within the cerebral peduncles of the affected and unaffected hemispheres (rFA) was calculated for each patient ( n = 40) and assessed for correlation with Brunnstrom stage (BRS: 1–6), motor component of the functional independence measure (FIM-motor: 13–91), and the total length of stay (LOS) until discharge from rehabilitation ( P < 0.05). The rFA values were 0.582–1.037 (median: 0.881) and BRS scores were 1–6 (median: 5) for shoulder/elbow/forearm, 2–6 (median: 4.5) for hand, and 3–6 (median: 5) for lower extremities. FIM-motor scores were 51–91 (median, 79.5) and LOS ranged from 45 to 195 days (median: 130 days). Correlation coefficients were statistically significant between rFA and shoulder/elbow/forearm BRS (0.646), hand BRS (0.621), lower extremity BRS (0.637), FIM-motor (0.337), and LOS (−0.446). Diffusion-tensor FA values correlated with outcome measurements. This observation suggests that FA values within cerebral peduncles may subserve as an index for outcome prediction of patients after cerebral infarction.