D. Ducreux et al., Diffusion-weighted imaging patterns of brain damage associated with cerebral venous thrombosis, AM J NEUROR, 22(2), 2001, pp. 261-268
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Neurosciences & Behavoir
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Apart from cases studies, little is known regarding
diffusion-weighted imaging of brain lesions associated with human cerebral
venous thrombosis (CVT). Our aim was to describe the initial diffusion-wei
ghted imaging patterns observed in brain areas with MR signal changes assoc
iated with CVT and to compare them with those of follow-up imaging.
METHODS: The cases of nine patients with brain lesions associated with CVT
who underwent CT and diffusion-weighted imaging 3 hours to days after sudde
n neurologic onset were retrospectively reviewed. The apparent diffusion co
efficient (ADC) in abnormal brain was compared with that of contralateral n
ormal regions using z score analysis. MR images obtained during 3 to 6 mont
hs of follow-up were available for seven patients.
RESULTS: All patients had nonhemorrhagic T2-hyperintense brain regions. The
se were associated with partially hemorrhagic areas on the CT scans of four
patients. In nonhemorrhagic edematous areas, ADC was heterogeneous (coexis
tence of increased, normal, or decreased ADC) in five patients and homogene
ous in four. In the latter four patients, ADC values were within normal ran
ge in three, whereas a large homogeneous hyperintensity with decreased ADC
values (0.3-0.4 10(-3) mm(2)/s, < -3 z scores) was observed in one. When av
ailable, followup images always showed hemorrhagic sequelae in initially he
morrhagic areas. Nonhemorrhagic edematous areas with initially increased AD
C values returned to normal. Initially normal or decreased ADC values were
predictive of reversibility, although imaging sequelae were rarely observed
.
CONCLUSION: The diffusion-weighted imaging/ADC pattern of venous stroke is
more heterogeneous than previously thought. Large brain regions of reduced
ADC values that are not predictive of ultimate infarction in cases of CVT c
an be observed.