Cerebral infarctions: Evaluation with single-axis versus trace diffusion-weighted MR imaging

OBJECTIVE. Our purpose was to determine the usefulness of single-axis diffu sion-weighted imaging versus trace diffusion-weighted imaging in the evalua tion of cerebral infarctions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Twenty-six patients harboring 34 infarctions were exa mined using single-axis and trace diffusion-weighted imaging within 48 hr o f the onset of symptoms. Two neuroradiologists who were not aware of the cl inical findings reviewed all images obtained with both techniques and noted the following: type of infarction (small [<15 mm] versus territorial), loc ation of infarction, presence of infarction (seen only on single-axis image s, seen only on trace images, seen on both), lesion conspicuity (better on single-axis images, better on trace images, or equal on both), and lesion s ize (larger on single-axis images, larger on trace images, or equal on both ). Differences in opinion were resolved by consensus. RESULTS. Of the 18 small and 16 territorial infarctions, all were identifie d on both single-axis and trace imaging. Lesion conspicuity was judged to b e slightly better on trace images for both types of infarctions, Lesion siz e was judged to be larger on single-axis images for territorial infarctions . CONCLUSION. Both single-axis and trace diffusion-weighted imaging showed al l small and territorial cerebral infarctions. Both types of infarctions wer e slightly larger on single-axis images but this did not affect correct int erpretation in any case. The single-axis technique provided sufficient info rmation for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction in our clinical settings.