The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-radiological correlations
of magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)
abnormalities in ischemic stroke. Eighteen patients had undergone MR imagin
g and clinical evaluation within 24 h of symptom onset and at or after 7 da
ys. During the first 24 h the volume of perfusion abnormality (measured on
the relative mean transit time map) was larger than the DWI lesion in 12/18
patients. In 6/18 patients the DWI lesion volume was larger. Acutely (<24
h) all lesion volumes showed a significant correlation with acute clinical
severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.
The correlations of the hypoperfusion volume (rho = 0.86, p = 0.0001) and t
he volume 'tissue at risk' (larger than the DWI and perfusion lesion volume
s, rho = 0.86, p = 0.0001) with acute clinical severity were slightly highe
r than for the DWI lesion volume (rho = 0.76, p = 0.0001). The difference b
etween the volume of tissue at risk (acutely) and the infarct on follow-up
T-2-weighted imaging correlated significantly with change in clinical sever
ity from acute to chronic time points (rho = 0.72, p = 0.001). Such clinico
-radiological relationships may support the use of DWI and perfusion MR in
decisions concerning the administration and evaluation of stroke therapies.
Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.